Comparison of the Effect of Antibiotic-Lock and Ethanol-Lock Methods on Infection Rate in Children with Hemodialysis Catheter.

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, para-clinical 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.