Acute renal failure in a burn patient: the advantages of continuous peritoneal dialysis.

An 8-year-old girl sustained 65-70 per cent body surface area burns when her clothes caught fire. Two weeks later, she developed acute renal failure (ARF) and needed dialysis therapy. The extensive, infected burn area prevented the establishment of a safe vascular access for haemodialysis. Continuous peritoneal dialysis proved to be a valid alternative form of treatment and even had advantages over haemodialysis. Large amounts of fluids, calories and electrolytes could be administered via the peritoneal route. This facilitated the treatment of the catabolic state of the uraemic burn patient and served to correct the electrolyte losses via the skin. Peritoneal dialysis is a valuable adjunct to the treatment of acute renal failure in burn patients who need renal replacement therapy.