Objective: To evaluate the ability of tidal peritoneal dialysis to decrease the pain and frequency of hemoperitoneum associated with peritoneal calcification.
Design: Prospective case evaluation.
Setting: The Home Peritoneal Dialysis Unit, Children's Mercy Hospital.
Patient: Seven-year old male with diffuse peritoneal calcifications, daily abdominal pain, and recurrent hemoperitoneum.
Intervention: Tidal peritoneal dialysis was conducted with an initial fill volume of 45 mL/kg and a tidal inflow volume of 23 mL/kg. The patient also maintained a daytime pass volume of 45 mL/kg. Duration of treatment was 7 months.
Results: The patient's abdominal pain resolved 2 days after initiating tidal peritoneal dialysis. No episodes of hemoperitoneum or abdominal pain have occurred for 7 months.
Conclusion: Tidal peritoneal dialysis is a unique approach to the achievement of symptomatic relief in the patient with peritoneal calcification.