Laparoscopic implantation of catheters for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has become an established procedure and is an equal alternative to haemodialysis (HD) in the management of terminal renal failure. Nevertheless CAPD still plays a minor role compared with HD (10% of all dialyses). CAPD offers advantages in quality of Live but is still associated with a significant number of complications. The improvement of surgical technique and development of new peritoneal dialysis catheters (PDK) improved the results of peritoneal dialysis. 3 methods for implantation of PDK are used: the open surgical technique, the blind percutaneous procedure and the laparoscopic methods. The latter technique is currently an accepted practice. 10 patients were treated by the laparoscopic methods. Additionally to the PDK-tunnel of the abdominal wall we used 2 trocars (1 x 5 mm, 1 x 12 mm). Advantages of this technique are avoiding of perforating lesions, possibility for further operations and a safe implantation of the PDK. Peritoneal dialysis was started 7 days after operation with initially low dialysate volumes. The observed incidence of complications and removed catheters are comparable to the reports in the literature.