Comparison of the effect of antibiotic-lock and ethanol-lock methods on infection rate in children with hemodialysis catheter

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis catheter-related infection has a high incidence and complications. Antibiotic-lock or ethanol-lock can be used to prevent such infections. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of antibiotic-lock and ethanol-lock methods in children undergoing hemodialysis and to evaluate the optimality of these methods. Methods: In this cohort clinical study, 25 children with chronic renal failure with hemodialysis catheter referring to Imam-Hossein Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, in 2016-2017 were studied. During two 6-month course, their catheter was locked first with antibiotics for 6 months, and then with ethanol for 6 months. Side effects, paraclinical findings and infectious species were also studied and data were analyzed. Results: In the first 6 months, 44 of the subjects and in the second 6 months, 12 of the subjects had catheter infections. The rate of infection, redness and catheter site sensitivity at the second 6-month course was significantly lower compared to the first 6-month course (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both Antibiotic-lock and ethanol-lock are useful and practical methods for controlling infection. However, according to the results of this study, the ethanol-lock method seems to be more effective than antibiotic-lock in controlling the infection in children with hemodialysis catheter.