Removal of the external cuff as an effective treatment for chronic exit-site infections

Abstract

Two cases of the excision of the external cuff in patients with chronic catheter exit-site infection have been presented. Chronic exit-site infection is one of the infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis characterized with purulent or bloody drainage from the exit-site, the presence of granulation tissue around the exit that persist for more than 4 weeks. Swelling, erythema and pain around exit indicate exacerbation. Long-term antibiotic therapy is frequently not effective which can be due to external cuff infection. In cases of exit-site infection not accompanied by peritonitis the removal of the external cuff is the proposed mode of treatment.