Advanced Laparoscopic Techniques Significantly Improve Function of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

BACKGROUND: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters provide a preferred alternative to hemodialysis in a growing population with chronic kidney disease. However, CAPD catheters traditionally have been associated with a high rate of nonfunction with both open and laparoscopic procedures. New advanced laparoscopic techniques using rectus sheath tunneling and omentopexy have been reported to improve catheter function. STUDY DESIGN: This study retrospectively reports the Cleveland Clinic experience during the transition from basic to advanced laparoscopic techniques from June 2002 to July 2008. A total of 197 patients were identified: 68 who underwent insertion with basic techniques and 129 who received catheters with advanced techniques. Primary nonfunction, procedural complications, and overall nonfunction rate were analyzed using the most recent follow-up to June 2008. RESULTS: Primary nonfunction occurred in 25 of 68 (36.7%) patients in the basic group; this occurred in only 6 of 129 patients (4.6%) in the advanced group (p < 0.0001). The overall rate of complications including nonfunction from primary and secondary sources, peritoneal leak, peritonitis, port-site hernia, and bleeding occurred in 31 of 68 (45.6%) patients in the basic group and 21 of 129 (16.28%) patients in the advanced group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These data clearly show a significant improvement in CAPD catheter function using omentopexy and rectus sheath tunneling. These advanced laparoscopic techniques should become the preferred method of CAPD catheter insertion. (J Am Coll Surg 2010; 211: 699-704. (C) 2010 by the American College of Surgeons)