The comparison in terms of early complications of a new technique and percutaneous method for the placement of CAPD catheters

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement in Children: Initial Experience with a "2+1"-Port Laparoscopic-Assisted Technique

The placement of a peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) is currently a common procedure in pediatric surgeon practice, and the search for the ultimate technique never stops. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our experience with the laparoscopic PDC placement approach, performing a "2+1" ("two plus one") technique, where the "+1" trocar is placed in an oblique manner, pointing toward the Douglas pouch when passing through the abdominal wall. This tunnel is further used to place and maintain the proper position of the PDC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed a cohort of five children who underwent laparoscopic-assisted PDC placement between 2018 and 2022.

RESULTS

This procedure is a simple, relatively quick, and safe technique for PDC placement. Furthermore, in our experience, concomitant omentectomy is necessary to reduce the risk of catheter obstruction and migration due to omental wrapping.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic approach allows for improved visualization and more accurate placement of a catheter inside the abdominal cavity. Concomitant omental excision is necessary to prevent PDC malfunction and migration.

Comparison of Outcomes between Percutaneous and Surgical Placement of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters in Uremic Patients: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal technique for inserting peritoneal dialysis catheters in uremic patients remains debated. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence evaluating the efficacy and safety of percutaneous insertion methods compared to surgical methods.

METHOD

A literature search was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. The primary outcome was defined as catheter survival. The secondary outcomes were mechanical and infectious complications related to catheter insertion.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were finally identified, including 2 randomized controlled trials. The pooled results of catheter survival, overall mechanical complications, and infectious complications were not significant (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.76-1.57, p = 0.62; OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.48-1.11, p = 0.14; and OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.37-1.09, p = 0.14, respectively). Comparison stratified by the blind percutaneous method versus open surgery indicated a lower overall number of mechanical complications (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.31-0.93, I2 = 72%) and malposition rate (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.34-0.90, I2 = 0%). The leakage rate was higher in the blind percutaneous group than in the open surgery group (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.72-3.79, I2 = 0%); the guided percutaneous method achieved a similar leakage risk to the surgical methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The blind percutaneous method performed better with fewer overall mechanical complications and less malposition than open surgery. The leakage risk was higher in the blind percutaneous group, while the guided percutaneous placement group showed similar outcomes to the surgical method groups. Percutaneous methods also had a lower infection risk, which needs further evidence to be confirmed.

Surgical versus percutaneous catheter placement for peritoneal dialysis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

No consensus currently exists regarding the optimal approach for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement. We aimed to compare the outcomes of percutaneous and surgical peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases (end-of-search date: August 29th, 2020). We included studies comparing percutaneous (blind, under fluoroscopic/ultrasound guidance, and "half-perc") and surgical peritoneal dialysis catheter placement (open and laparoscopic) in terms of their infectious complications (peritonitis, tunnel/exit-site infections), mechanical complications (leakage, inflow/outflow obstruction, migration, hemorrhage, hernia, bowel perforation) and long-term outcomes (malfunction, removal, replacement, surgery required, and mortality).

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies were identified, including thirty-two observational studies (twenty-six retrospective and six prospective) and two randomized controlled trials. Percutaneous placement was associated with significantly lower rates of tunnel/exit-site infection [relative risk (RR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.91], catheter migration (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49, 0.95), and catheter removal (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.88). The 2-week and 4-week rates of early tunnel/exit-site infection were also lower in the percutaneous group (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.93 and RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.63, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding other outcomes, including catheter survival and mechanical complications.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the quality of published literature on the field of peritoneal dialysis catheter placement is poor, with a small percentage of studies being randomized clinical trials. Percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter placement is a safe procedure and may result in fewer complications, such as tunnel/exit-site infections, and catheter migration, compared to surgical placement.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020154951.

Different techniques for peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

The current consensus recommended the peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) techniques based on the patients' anesthesia situation and previous abdominal surgery. However, the research comparing of all the existing PDC techniques is lacking. The objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of PDC techniques by network meta-analysis (NMA). A systematic review of databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. NMA was used to estimate the ranking for endpoints. Our NMA included 41 studies (9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 32 observational trials) and enrolled 3902 patients, comparing three techniques: the laparoscopic catheterization (LC), open surgery catheterization (OSC), and percutaneous catheterization (PC). NMA in RCTs showed OSC had the highest incidence of catheter mechanical dysfunction, PC and LC were very similar, but this result had no statistical difference. NMA in observational studies showed that LC had the highest 1-year catheter survival but without statistical difference (LC vs. OSC: odds ratio (OR) 1.75, 95% credible intervals (CrIs) 0.90-3.40; PC vs. OSC: OR 1.55, 95% CrIs 0.80-2.97; PC vs. LC: OR 0.88, 95% CrIs 0.54-1.44). OSC had the lowest incidence for bleeding. The complications of leakage, peritonitis, and exit/tunnel infection were inconclusive due to the inconsistent results between RCTs and observational studies. Our NMA revealed LC may have the best 1-year catheter survival. PC and LC might be efficacious in lowering the mechanical dysfunction. OSC had the lowest incidence for bleeding. More RCTs with larger scale and higher quality are needed in order to obtain more credible evidence.

A Rare Cause of Persistent Blood Loss after Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement

The laparoscopic placement of a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheter is a widely used method in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The potential complications of this procedure include perforation of intra-abdominal organs, surgical site infection, peritonitis, catheter migration, catheter blockage, port site herniation, and bleeding. In most cases, bleeding is considered to be an early-onset complication because it mostly occurs within the first seven days after surgery. We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient with a previous history of diabetes mellitus, myelodysplastic syndrome, extensive collateral varices, anaemia, and ESRD due to obstructive uropathy caused by retroperitoneal fibrosis, who presented with persistent blood loss after the laparoscopic placement of a CAPD catheter. Duplex ultrasonography showed that the CAPD catheter was transfixing a superficial epigastric varicose vein, a collateral vein, due to the occlusion of the left external iliac vein. Persistent blood loss after inserting a CAPD catheter without previous imaging of abdominal wall vessels is an indication for further diagnostics.

Establishment of colonic dialysis model in uremic rats by right nephrectomy and left partial nephrectomy

BACKGROUND

Conventional treatments for patients suffering with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has several disadvantages, highlighting the importance of other reproducible modalities such as colonic dialysis (CD).

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to establish a CD model in uremic rats and evaluate the effect of two different peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. After right nephrectomy and left partial nephrectomy, a Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) stoma was created. Seven days after the procedure, blood sampling was performed. In group I (N = 8) no postoperative intervention was performed. In group II (N = 8), CD was started through the MACE stoma by a low osmolar PD solution. Rats of group III (N = 8) underwent the same procedure with a high osmolar PD solution. Rats of group IV (N = 8) underwent CD without nephrectomy in order to evaluate the feasibility of this technique. Mannitol and activated charcoal were also added to both PD solutions. Weekly blood sampling was performed in order to evaluate the plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level.

RESULTS

In rats of the control group, the respective mean ± SD creatinine level was 1.5 ± 0.04 mg/dL, 7 days after the surgical procedure, but a lower creatinine level was found in groups II and III (0.8 ± 0.02 and 0.5 ± 0.03, respectively). Despite the fact that the creatinine level was in steady low states after regular CD in group II (1 ± 0.05) and group III (0.6 ± 0.02), it remained at higher levels in the control group (1.7 ± 0.08) 2 weeks postoperatively. Rats of group I did not survive until the third postoperative week, while the creatinine level was still lower in group III than in group II (0.6 ± 0.02 vs. 1.1 ± 0.03). Similar results were obtained for the BUN level at these timepoints. The mean ± SD survival period was 11 ± 2, 20 ± 3, and 33 ± 2 days in the animals of groups I, II, and III, respectively.

DISCUSSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of CD establishment in a rat model. Unfortunately, the amount of protein loss, elevation of blood glucose levels, and electrolyte disturbance were not evaluated in the current study because of the limited amount of blood samples. Disturbance of these factors might be a cause of mortality in experimental groups undergoing CD while a significant decrease in BUN and creatinine levels was obtained.

CONCLUSION

CD with an efficient PD solution through a MACE stoma may be a valuable option when conventional methods are not available.

Percutaneous versus Surgical Insertion of PD Catheters in Dialysis Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Several small studies have suggested that the percutaneous method of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion is effective and has a lower complication rate than surgical techniques (open, laparoscopic or peritoneoscopic), although no randomized, controlled study has compared these methods. Our objective was to compare percutaneous PD catheter insertion vs surgical placement in terms of 1-year catheter survival, catheter dysfunction, fluid leak and incidence of peritonitis.

Methods

We searched Medline for English-language literature from 1966 through June 2014, along with national conference proceedings and reference lists of all included publications to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were having a measure of catheter survival at 1 year, catheter dysfunction, peritonitis rate per patient-month or fluid leak as outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were not in English or if they included pediatric patients. Random effects models were used to derive the pooled risk ratios, differences in patency and their variations.

Results

Thirteen studies with a total of 2,681 subjects met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in 1-year catheter survival in percutaneous vs surgical PD catheter placement (relative risk [RR] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-1.11, p = 0.19). Catheter dysfunction also did not differ significantly between the groups (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.57-1.29, p = 0.46). The prevalence of peritoneal fluid leak also was similar for percutaneous and surgical groups (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.58-2.09, p = 0.77). However, there was a significant lower incidence of peritonitis among those with percutaneous placement (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62-0.96, p = 0.02). Significant heterogeneity was detected across studies ( I2 = 78.4%, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that there is no significant difference in catheter survival between percutaneous and surgical placement of PD catheters. Whether there are significant benefits from percutaneous placement in terms of peritonitis rates requires further robust studies. These findings have significant implications for future design of clinical trials in the placement of PD catheters and the delivery of dialysis-related services.

Flexible endoscopic single-incision extraperitoneal implant and fixation of peritoneal dialysis catheter: proof of concept in the porcine model

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters placed in the pelvic space without anchoring present a high rate of migration. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a single-incision approach, using a flexible endoscopic preperitoneal tunneling for catheter implantation and fixation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight pigs were involved in this experimental study. A 2/0 Vicryl loop was sutured at the tip of a PD catheter. In 4 pigs, a 1.5 cm incision was made on the left paramedian line and the parietal peritoneal layer was identified by splitting rectal muscles. A gastroscope was inserted in the incision and advanced in the extraperitoneal space. An exit hole was made in the peritoneum over the low pelvic cavity. A guidewire was left in the abdominal cavity, and the PD catheter was inserted over the guidewire. The endoscope was inserted in the tunnel again, and endoscopic clips were deployed over the Vicryl loop to fix the catheter. In 4 pigs, the PD catheter was inserted laparoscopically using a two-port approach. The catheter's tip was fixed with laparoscopic clips on the Vicryl loop. A strain test to assess the force required to detach clips was performed using a digital dynamometer.

RESULTS

Operative time for flexible endoscopic tunneling was longer when compared to the laparoscopic implant (29.5 ± 4.43 vs. 22.7 ± 2.51 min). Mean force to displace the catheter was similar after flexible endoscopic fixation when compared to laparoscopic clip fixation (5.57 N ± 2.76 vs. 4.15 N ± 1.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible endoscopic extraperitoneal tunneling allows for minimally invasive single-incision PD catheter placement and fixation.

The placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters: a prospective randomized comparison of open surgery versus "Mini-Perc" technique

PURPOSE

Currently, most ESRD patients are treated with open surgical technique or with laparoscopic technique. In this study, we examined the role of the ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique versus the modified open surgery in the treatment of ESRD in a prospective randomized manner.

METHODS

A total of 72 patients with chronic renal failure were prospectively randomized for the ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique or modified open surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative morbidity, incision size, dose of local anesthesia, operative time, hospital stay, and initial catheter survival and follow-up were compared for both methods.

RESULTS

"Mini-Perc" group was associated with shorter incision size, operative time, and hospital stay, with lower dose of local anesthesia and incidence of bloody ascites. Two of five patients with the history of abdominal surgery in "Mini-Perc" group required adhesiolysis under direct vision of telescope. All adhesions were easily dissected. All complications of leakage (8.1 %) and incisional hernia (2.7 %) occurred in the open surgery group, but a difference of no significant value with "Mini-Perc" group (p = 0.2400, p = 1.0000). There was no any other significant difference in common complications between two groups. After 2 years of follow-up, 54 patients (75 %) survived with their initial PD catheter. The overall death was 5 (6.9 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to modified open surgical technique, the ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique can be used to achieve the same clinical efficacy for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters in ESRD patients, and it carries minimal morbidity.

Dual-incision laparoscopic surgery for peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation and fixation: a novel, simple, and safe procedure

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an alternative modality to hemodialysis and is usually used to treat patients with end-stage renal disease. Dual-incision laparoscopic surgery (DILS) had been reported in several surgical fields; however, no report was proposed about DILS in PD catheter implantation (DILS-PD). In this study, we present DILS with a novel, simple, and safe procedure for PD catheter implantation with fixation and describe the long-term outcome.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective data collection and retrospective review of all PD patients from April 2010 until June 2012. During this study period, we performed open surgery for PD catheter implantation (OS-PD) and DILS-PD concurrently. Demographic data, medical, operative, and postoperative findings, and information regarding complications were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients had DILS-PD, and 70 patients had OS-PD. There was no difference between the two groups in age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, creatinine level, body mass index, and previous abdominal surgery. There was no surgical mortality in either group. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 24 months, with a mean of 22.4±16.5 months. There was no tube migration in the DILS-PD group, but 25.7% of the patients in the OS-PD group had tube migration (P<.001). A significantly decreased exit-site/tunnel infection rate was found in the DILS-PD group (4.2%) compared with the OS-PD group (17.1%) (P=.032). However, there was no obvious difference in peritonitis occurrence between groups. A significantly decreased catheter failure rate was found in the DILS-PD group (4.2%) compared with the OS-PD group (22.9%) (P=.006). DILS-PD group patients had a favorable survival rate for catheter implantation compared with OS-PD group patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our DILS-PD with fixation technique is a simple and safe procedure. This procedure minimized or even eliminated the possibility of migration without additional cost. Our DILS-PD fixatation technique should be recommended for use routinely.

A modified method in laparoscopic peritoneal catheter implantation: the combination of preperitoneal tunneling and pelvic fixation

Introduction. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is widely accepted for the management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although not as widely used as hemodialysis, CAPD has clear advantages, especially those related to patient satisfaction and simplicity. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion can be accomplished by several different techniques. In this study, we aimed to evaluate our results obtained with peritoneal dialysis catheter placement by combination of pelvic fixation plus preperitoneal tunneling. Material and Methods. Laparoscopic peritoneal catheter implantation by combining preperitoneal tunneling and pelvic fixation methods was performed in 82 consecutive patients with end-stage renal disease. Sex, age, primary disease etiology, complications, mean duration of surgery, mean duration of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and catheter survival rates and surgical technique used were assessed. Analysis of catheter survival was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. Mean follow-up period was 28.35 ± 14.5 months (range of 13–44 months). Mean operative time was 28 ± 6 minutes, and mean duration of hospital stay was 3 ± 1 days. There were no conversions from laparoscopy to other insertion methods. None of the patients developed serious complications during surgery or the postoperative period. No infections of the exit site or subcutaneous tunnel, hemorrhagic complications, abdominal wall hernias, or extrusion of the superficial catheter cuff was detected. No mortality occurred in this series of patients. Catheter survival was found to be 92% at 3 years followup. Conclusions. During one-year followup, we had seven patients of migrated catheters due to separation of pelvic fixation suture from peritoneal surface, but they were reimplanted and fixated again laparoscopically with success. Over a three-year followup period, catheter survival was found to be 92%. In the literature, similar catheter survival rates without combination of the two techniques are reported. As a conclusion, although laparoscopic placement of PD catheters avoids many perioperative and early complications, as well as increasing catheter free survival period and quality of life, our results comparing to other studies in the literature indicate that different laparoscopic placement methods are still in debate, and further studies are necessary to make a more accurate decision.

The ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique of placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters with a 16-Fr Peel-Away sheath: 3-year results in 47 patients

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical feasibility, safety and effect of the ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique with a 16-Fr Peel-Away sheath for insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

47 consecutive ESRD patients underwent ureteroscope-assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters via a 16-Fr Peel-Away sheath. Informed consent form was signed by patients under principle of voluntary.

RESULTS

The mean duration of the operation was 40 min (range, 21-75 min). Seven patients (14.9 %) experienced mechanical complications: catheter tip migration in 1 patient (2.1 %), slightly bloody ascites in 4 patients (8.5 %) and catheter-related peritonitis in 2 patients (4.3 %). Two catheters (4.3 %) were removed after renal transplantation. One patient (2.1 %) died from heart failure. One catheter (2.1 %) was explanted because of malfunction. After a mean follow-up time of 15 months (range, 2-36 months), 42 catheters are still functioning properly.

CONCLUSIONS

The ureteroscope-assisted "Mini-Perc" technique with a 16-Fr Peel-Away sheath is a simple, safe and effective method for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters in ESRD patients.

Incidence and clinical implication of nosocomial infections associated with implantable biomaterials - catheters, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections

Health care associated infections, the fourth leading cause of disease in industrialised countries, are a major health issue. One part of this condition is based on the increasing insertion and implantation of prosthetic medical devices, since presence of a foreign body significantly reduces the number of bacteria required to produce infection. The most significant hospital-acquired infections, based on frequency and potential severity, are those related to procedures e.g. surgical site infections and medical devices, including urinary tract infection in catheterized patients, pneumonia in patients intubated on a ventilator and bacteraemia related to intravascular catheter use. At least half of all cases of nosocomial infections are associated with medical devices.Modern medical and surgical practices have increasingly utilized implantable medical devices of various kinds. Such devices may be utilized only short-time or intermittently, for months, years or permanently. They improve the therapeutic outcome, save human lives and greatly enhance the quality of life of these patients. However, plastic devices are easily colonized with bacteria and fungi, able to be colonized by microorganisms at a rate of 0.5 cm per hour. A thick biofilm is formed within 24 hours on the entire surface of these plastic devices once inoculated even with a small initial number of bacteria.The aim of the present work is to review the current literature on causes, frequency and preventive measures against infections associated with intravascular devices, catheter-related urinary tract infection, ventilator-associated infection, and infections of other implantable medical devices. Raising awareness for infection associated with implanted medical devices, teaching and training skills of staff, and establishment of surveillance systems monitoring device-related infection seem to be the principal strategies used to achieve reduction and prevention of such infections. The intelligent use of suitable antiseptics in combination with medical devices may further support reduction and prevention of such infections. In addition to reducing the adverse clinical outcomes related with these infections, such reduction may substantially decrease the economic burden caused by device-related infection for health care systems.

[Experiences with Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter]

Peritoneal dialysis is a generally accepted method for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. Two main techniques for the insertion of the peritoneal catheter are known: open surgery and the laparoscopic-assisted technique.

AIM

To describe our surgical procedure and implantation technique and to determine the outcome of our patients who underwent the conventional and the laparoscopic assisted placement of a catheter.

METHODS

Between September 2001 and June 2009, 124 patients underwent either conventional or laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion procedure.

RESULTS

52 male, and 70 female patients were studied (mean age: 62 years), 110 conventional and 14 laparoscopic assisted operation were done.

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional method for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters is by "blind" insertion of the catheter through a small lower abdominal incision. The laparoscopic placement is a new but well-established technique and offers some advantages, such as a safer and accurate placement of the catheter under direct vision, less postoperative pain and complications, and a longer functional survival, compared to the conventional open technique. The functional outcome of the catheters was satisfactory in the majority of patients in this study. The conventional technique is simple, safe and has low costs, and in our opinion, it should be used for the most times, and the laparoscopic technique should be considered as the method of special choice in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure.

Laparoscopic-assisted placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters: implantation technique and results

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis is a generally accepted method for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal failure. The laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters is a well-established technique and offers some advantages, such as a safer placement of the catheter, less post-operative complications, and a longer functional survival, compared to the conventional open technique. The aim of this study was to describe our implantation technique and to determine the results of our approach.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2000 and February 2006, 47 patients with end-stage chronic renal failure underwent a laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion procedure. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected prospectively.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 35 minutes (range, 16-100). There was no perioperative morbidity. Nine (19.1%) patients experienced 10 mechanical complications: fluid leakage in 6 (12.8%) patients, acute hydrothorax in 1 (2.1%), catheter tip migration in 2 (4.3%), and catheter obstruction in 1 (2.1%) patient. Episodes of peritonitis were observed in 5 (10.6%) patients. One (2.1%) patient developed a catheter infection. In 3 (6.4%) patients, a port site hernia occurred that required surgical repair, 5 (10.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic revisions owing to mechanical complications, 9 (19.1%) patients underwent renal transplantation, and 6 (12.8%) patients died during the later follow-up. After a mean follow-up time of 17 months (range, 2-76), 30 (63.8%) catheters are still in use for dialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional outcome of the dialysis catheters was satisfactory in the majority of patients in this study. The described technique for catheter implantation is simple and safe, and in our opinion, the laparoscopic technique should be considered as the method of choice in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure.