Adhesive intestinal obstruction increases the risk of intestinal perforation in peritoneal dialysis patients: a case report

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis secondary to bowel perforation is a rare and potentially fatal complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, the early diagnosis of bowel perforation is difficult in PD patients because the initial symptoms and signs of bowel perforation are similar to those of PD-associated peritonitis. Furthermore, the risk of bowel perforation in PD patients is unclear. Here, we present a case of intestinal perforation located at the site of adhesive intestinal obstruction in a PD patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old man on PD presented with progressive worsening of abdominal pain and cloudy peritoneal fluid. The peritoneal fluid cell count was increased to 980/ml and peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis was diagnosed. Computed tomography showed local adhesions causing agglomeration of the dilated intestine. He initially responded to antibiotic treatment; however, his abdominal pain was rapidly worsened after resumption of oral intake. On hospital day 23, computed tomography showed loss of contents from the dilated intestine and discharge of fecal material from the PD tube was noted. Thus, small bowel perforation was diagnosed, and he underwent ileocecal resection with colostomy creation. As indicators of EPS was not evident, PD catheter was removed. Since then, he has been on maintenance of hemodialysis since then. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present case suggest that adhesive intestinal obstruction in PD patients can increase the risk of intestinal perforation. Careful monitoring for the early detection of intestinal perforation is required in such cases.