Is anorectal surgery on chronic dialysis patients risky?

Patients on chronic hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may develop anorectal problems necessitating surgery. From January 1984 to December 1987, 18 ESRD patients underwent anorectal surgery. During this period, a mean of 215 patients underwent dialysis. Patients with ESRD present with characteristic problems: chronic constipation, need for dialysis pre- and postoperatively with heparin infusion, anemia, anticoagulation secondary to the consequences of uremia, and significant medical problems including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Two patients had concomitant anal fissure, two had fistula-in-ano, and one had an acute perianal abscess. In two patients, the postoperative course was complicated by hemorrhage and, in one patient, by abscess formation. There was no delay in wound healing compared with a cohort group. The essentials of perioperative management are discussed with respect to timing of dialysis, methods of anesthesia and pain management, coagulation screening, and complications. Patients on well-managed chronic dialysis will tolerate anorectal surgery without undue jeopardy.