Report of the first peritoneal dialysis program in Guyana, South America

Perit Dial Int. 2013 Mar-Apr;33(2):116-23. doi: 10.3747/pdi.2012.00001.

Abstract

Introduction: In 2008, we initiated the first Guyanese comprehensive kidney replacement program, comprising hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), vascular access procedures, and living-donor kidney transplantation. The government of Guyana, US-based philanthropists, US-based physicians, and Guyanese caregivers teamed up to form a public-private partnership. This pilot program was free of cost to the patients.

Methods: From July 2010 to the time of writing, we placed 17 patients with end-stage kidney disease on PD, which was used as a bridge to living-donor kidney transplantation. During the same period, we placed 12 primary arteriovenous fistulae.

Results: The 17 patients who received a PD catheter had a mean age of 43.6 years and a mean follow-up of 5.3 months. In that group, 2 deaths occurred (from multi-organ failure) within 2 weeks of catheter placement, and 2 patients were switched to HD because of inadequate clearance. Technical issues were noted in 2 patients, and 3 patients developed peritonitis (treated with intravenous antibiotics). An exit-site abscess in 1 patient was drained under local anesthesia. The peritonitis rate was 0.36 episodes per patient-year. Of the 17 patients who received PD, 4 underwent living-donor kidney transplantation.

Conclusions: In Guyana, PD is a safe and cost-effective option; it may be equally suitable for similar developing countries. In Guyana, PD was used as a bridge to living-donor kidney transplantation. We have been able to sustain this program since 2008 by making incremental gains and nurturing the ongoing public-private partnership.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Guyana / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / mortality
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritoneal Dialysis*
  • Program Development
  • Public-Private Sector Partnerships / organization & administration*
  • Young Adult