Does endoluminal brushing eliminate the need for catheter removal in peritoneal dialysis patients with persistent peritonitis?

Recurrent and persistent peritonitis episodes are exhausting problems in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) and can lead to discontinuation of treatment. In the present report, we describe our clinical experience with endoluminal brushing (EB) in 3 pediatric patients with refractory peritonitis episodes maintained on chronic PD. The EB was performed on 4 occasions in 3 patients. Peritonitis resolved in 2 of the patients. The remaining patient required removal of the PD catheter. No adverse events have since been observed. Endoluminal brushing should be considered an option for the management of persistent peritonitis before catheter removal.