Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Published: 05/22/2012

Authors: van Dellen D, Summers AM, Tavakoli A, Pararajasingam R and Augustine T

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a serious complication seen in about 3 per cent of patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis. Characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, a common terminal presentation is bowel obstruction due to marked peritoneal sclerosis with characteristic appearances at laparotomy. The definitive surgical management is enterolysis with excision of the diseased peritoneum and membrane (peritonectomy). With elective and emergency mortality approaching 15 and 50 per cent respectively, it is important that this condition is suspected in patients on peritoneal dialysis with gastrointestinal symptoms.