MO701COMBINED PROCEDURE OF PRE- EXISTING ABDOMINAL WALL HERNIA REPAIR AND PERITONEAL CATHETER INSERTION. LONG TERM FOLLOW- UP IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS TREATMENT
Authors: Tanasiychuk Tatiana , Kushnir Daniel , Sura Oleg , Darawsha Husein , Chami Ariel , Bitterman Arie , Frajewicki Victor 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Successful peritoneal dialysis (PD) program requires a combination of optimal peritoneal access and low incidence of complications. Between pitfalls of this modality are early mechanical complications such as leak, malfunction, and new abdominal wall hernia formation in the long term of PD treatment. Pre-existing abdominal wall hernia is a relative contraindication for PD. Hernias are also a known and not uncommon complication over the course of PD and one of the causes of technique failure. In our center, a physical examination and an ultrasound for hernias detection are routine procedures before the start of PD. If a hernia is discovered, combined hernia repair and catheter implantation are performed. The aim of this study was to assess to long- term results of this approach.

Method
The current study presents the retrospective analysis of 10 years' experience of our PD program (1.01.2009 – 31.12. 2018) including all incident PD patients who underwent their first peritoneal catheter placement procedure during the study period. The primary endpoints of the study were the rate of hernia formation in the course of PD treatment, type of hernias, identification risk factors for hernia formation and rate of hernia recurrence after previous repair. The secondary endpoint was the rate of procedure-related complications: infectious, leaks and primary catheter malfunction in patients who underwent surgical catheter insertion compared to percutaneous technique. Patients were followed until the end of PD treatment or until 31.10.2019.

Results
A total of 211 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 24.5% underwent surgical procedures and 75.5% percutaneous insertion. Mean follow-up was 23.3 ± 25 months (2 to 96 months). About half (53.1%) of the patients were diabetic, aged 64.2±13 years. In 32 patients (15%) a preventive hernia repair with a simultaneous catheter implantation were performed. Patients who underwent a preventive hernia repair were significantly older than other patients (69.4±11.1 years versus 63.2±13.1 years, P=0.013).
During the study period, 203 of 211 patients were treated by PD. Thirty three (16.1%) have developed 38 new hernias. Patients suffering from a new hernia during PD were predominantly male, with longer dialysis vintage than patients without new hernia formation (35.3±22.8 months versus 23±22.9, respectively. P=0.001). Five of 33 patients suffered multiple hernias, including recurrent hernias at the same site. Most common types were inguinal and umbilical (44.7% each other), while only few were incisional or ventral. None of our patients suffered from a pericatheter one. The overall rate of new hernias development was 0.09/patient/years. Neither age, comorbidities, obesity nor polycystic kidney disease did not increase the rate of hernia formation during the course of PD treatment. There was no significant association between type of catheter insertion procedure (surgical/percutaneous) and infections, leakages or catheter function.
Leak incidence in diabetic patients was significantly higher in comparison with nondiabetic patients (8% versus 1%, P=0.021). Infectious complications were not different between diabetic and not diabetics patients (5.4% among diabetic patients versus 2% nondiabetic, P=0.29).

Conclusion
Our findings show that male gender and prolonged peritoneal dialysis duration are the main risk factors for the appearance of hernias in the course of PD therapy. Our data also confirm previous observations that the placement of PD catheter using a paramedian incision approach significantly reduces the incidences of exit site and incision hernias. We suggest that early diagnosis of latent asymptomatic hernias and hernia repair prior to starting PD can improve technique survival.