Malfunctioning peritoneal dialysis catheter repaired by laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Objectives: To review peritoneal dialysis catheter failures and to describe a technique of repairing malpositioned catheters. Design: Two prospective case reports utilizing this technique are reported. Setting: A tertiary care hospital. Patients: Two patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis with malfunctioning catheters. Intervention: Both patients underwent reposition of their malpositioned continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheters by laparoscopic suture technique. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome was measured by the successful return of adequate peritoneal dialysis. Results: Both case studies show correction of malpositioned catheters with the return of successful peritoneal dialysis. Conclusion: The repositioning and suture application of malpositioned Tenckhoff catheters by laparoscopic surgery is a viable technique that can salvage the majority of malpositioned catheters and save the patients additional hospital time and recovery.