Technique Survival after Relapsing Peritonitis: Experience from a Center in Mexico

Background: Relapsing peritonitis significantly impacts the outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients. Catheter removal and temporary migration to hemodialysis are part of the routine management in some cases. In these instances, the response or failure of antibiotic treatment guides therapeutic decisions and patient outcomes. An alternative approach involves simultaneous or short-term catheter removal and repositioning in episodes where infection control is evident. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023, at a peritoneal dialysis center in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The entire population enrolled in the peritoneal dialysis program was included in the study. The aim of this research is to describe the outcomes (technique survival, 30-day mortality) observed in patients with relapsing peritonitis that remained in peritoneal dialysis. Results: Total population of the program included 854 patients. Among 281 patients, 585 episodes of peritonitis were recorded, and 51 episodes were classified as relapsing and included in the analysis. Of them 13 (25%) were transferred to hemodialysis, and 38 (75%) remained in peritoneal dialysis. Among patients who remained on peritoneal dialysis, the median technique survival was 32 months. Seventy-six percent maintained the technique at 12 months, and 65% at 24 months. Among the population that remained on dialysis, 2 (4%) patients died within 30 days following the recurrence event. Conclusion: In patients with relapsing peritonitis, continuation of peritoneal modality is achievable with an acceptable technique survival.