Laparoscopic approach for surgical treatment of pleuroperitoneal communication interfering with peritoneal dialysis: a case report

Background Pleuroperitoneal communication is a rare disorder that interferes with peritoneal dialysis. Although favorable results of thoracoscopic fistula closure have been reported, there are some cases in which the fistulas cannot be identified by thoracoscopy and the patients are forced to switch to hemodialysis. Case presentation We present two cases of pleuroperitoneal communication in which diaphragmatic fistulas could not be identified thoracoscopically, but could be identified laparoscopically. Patient 1 had difficulty continuing peritoneal dialysis 9 months after its introduction due to right pleural effusion. Although we could not detect the fistula thoracoscopically, we could laparoscopically identify the fistula in the center of the tendon of the right diaphragm and closed the site from the thoracic side. Patient 2 developed dyspnea due to right pleural effusion 6 months after the introduction of peritoneal dialysis. We could not find the fistulas with a thoracoscopic approach, but could identify multiple diaphragmatic fistulas with a laparoscopic approach and close the sites from the thoracic side. Conclusion In the surgical treatment of pleuroperitoneal communication, diaphragmatic fistulas can be identified laparoscopically even when thoracoscopic observation fails to find any fistulas.

Detection of the Communication Site by Indocyanine Green Adsorbed to Human Serum Albumin Fluorescence During Surgery for a Pleuroperitoneal Communication

A pleuroperitoneal communication is a serious complication for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is performed using indocyanine green adsorbed to human serum albumin fluorescence to identify the communication because human serum albumin reinforces fluorescence images. A patient diagnosed with a pleuroperitoneal communication was referred to our department and underwent surgery. To detect the communication, a dialysate mixture that contained indocyanine green and human serum albumin was injected from the CAPD catheter. Real-time fluorescence images were able to clearly show a bleb-like lesion with a near-infrared spectroscopy camera, and the site was repaired. The patient had no recurrence at one-year follow-up. This method might be good method for pleuroperitoneal communication surgery.

Successful endoscopic surgical treatment of pleuroperitoneal communication in two infant cases

Background Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is an uncommon, but potentially life-threatening complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). If a fistula does not close with conservative treatment, surgical repair is required. However, approximately half of these patients are forced to shift from PD to hemodialysis. Although it is important to confirm the site of the fistula to achieve a successful surgical treatment, this identification is more difficult in pediatric patients than in adults. Case presentation We report two infantile cases of severe PPC associated with PD. In both cases, the age at onset was less than 2 years, and right-sided pleural effusion with dyspnea was observed. PPC was diagnosed by the change in color of the pleural fluid after the injection of a dye into the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography (SPECT/CT) were performed, and these were effective in locating the fistula site. Endoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and laparoscopic surgery) was performed. Indocyanine green (ICG), which was injected into the abdominal cavity, showed the exact site of the fistula. The fistula was successfully closed by attaching an absorbable sheet to it from the thoracic side and an autograft (the falciform ligament) to it from the abdominal side in one patient. In the other patient, the fistula site was resected and sutured, and reinforced with an absorbable sheet. In both cases, PD was resumed without any complication. Conclusion We successfully treated two infants of PPC by endoscopic surgery. To identify the fistula site, the ICG navigation method was useful. Even in small infants, PPC can be treated successfully by endoscopic surgical repair if the site of the fistula is identified.

A case of pleuroperitoneal communication in which establishing a laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum was useful for the detection of a fistula

Background Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is rarely observed, accounting for 1.6% of all patients who undergo continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Although there have been several reports concerning the management of this condition, we have encountered several cases in which control failed. We herein report a valuable case of PPC in which laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was useful for supporting the diagnosis and treatment. Case presentation The patient was a 58-year-old woman with chronic renal failure due to chronic renal inflammation who was referred to a nephrologist in our hospital to undergo an operation for the induction of CAPD. Post-operatively, she had respiratory failure, and chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) showed right-sided hydrothorax that decreased when the injection of peritoneal dialysate was interrupted. Therefore, PPC was suspected, and she was referred to our department for surgical repair. We planned surgical treatment via video-assisted thoracic surgery. During the surgery, we failed to detect any lesions with thoracoscopy alone; we therefore added a laparoscopic port at her right-sided abdomen near the navel and infused CO2 gas into the abdominal cavity. On thoracoscopy, bubbles were observed emanating from a small pore at the central tendon of the diaphragm, which was considered to be the lesion responsible for the PPC. We closed it by suturing directly. Conclusions VATS with laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum should be considered as an effective method for inspecting tiny pores of the diaphragm, especially when the lesions responsible for PPC are difficult to detect.

Pleuroperitoneal communication after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors: a case report and brief literature review

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with various complications, some of which may result in its discontinuation. Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is commonly recognized by the presence of a diaphragmatic defect and pressure elevation in the abdominal cavity due to the dialysate. PPC is unpredictable and its presence prevents the continuation of PD. We present the clinical course and pathological findings of PPC in a PD patient after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors. We provide a brief review of PD-related complications that develop due to a non-infectious pathology, including those related to catheter use and an elevated intra-abdominal pressure. Case presentation A 65-year-old Japanese man, who had been receiving PD treatment for 1 year, visited our hospital owing to a cloudy dialysate. Bacteria were detected in the dialysate. He had been previously diagnosed with gastric neuroendocrine tumors and gastrectomy had been planned. On admission, we started a 14-day antibiotic treatment for PD-related peritonitis. The patient showed a good clinical course. Gastrectomy was performed as planned, and the postoperative course was uneventful. During the perioperative period, PD was temporally changed to hemodialysis. Five weeks after the gastrectomy, PD treatment was resumed with gradual increase in the exchange volume. After returning to PD overnight, using an automated peritoneal dialysis machine, the patient complained of breathing difficulty and he gained weight. Right-sided pleural effusion was observed on a chest radiograph, and PPC was confirmed by scintigraphy when a mixture of technetium-99m and dialysate was seen entering the right hemithorax within 120 min. The patient did not consent to surgery for the PPC and he hoped to continue to receive PD treatment conservatively. We advised the patient to undergo dialysate exchange in a semi-seated position, and he was prohibited from lying down during the daytime. He continued PD treatment without signs of pleural effusion and over-volume. Conclusions This case of PPC occurring after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors in a PD patient demonstrates the necessity of recognizing the PPC pathology in PD management and establishing methods for preventing PPC development after bacterial peritonitis or surgical procedures.