Ultrafiltration failure in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis due to excessive peritoneal cavity lymphatic absorption.

We describe a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient who developed failure of ultrafiltration for no apparent cause during the first year of treatment. Further investigation showed that peritoneal cavity lymphatic reabsorption during the dwell time exceeded cumulative transcapillary ultrafiltration and so caused negative net ultrafiltration. Peritoneal lymphatic drainage should be added to the list of causes that, either singly or in combination, lead to loss of ultrafiltration in CAPD.