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(To read the full article, in English or French, click on the pdf logo on the right). We would like to draw attention to the critical issue of dialysis access management and vascular access (VA) options in patients transitioning to chronic renal replacement therapy and from peritoneal dialysis (PD) to hemodialysis (HD). We advocate for the establishment of dedicated consultation services for integrated dialysis access management to optimize patient outcomes. We highlight specific cases where a tailored approach to VA selection is essential, emphasizing the importance of risk stratification and timely access preparation. The preferred use of arteriovenous fistula in HD patients and the challenges surrounding its maturation are discussed. We also explore circumstances necessitating urgent versus planned transitions to HD, incorporating considerations for patient-centered care and education. Sonography’s role in managing PD-related infections and the potential benefits of home HD in the transition process are also examined. We suggest the development of scoring systems to predict patient transitions and emphasize the need for an integrated approach to dialysis access management. Overall, we advocate for proactive measures to prevent vascular access failure and ensure a safe and effective transition process for patients with chronic kidney disease.

A proper functioning access to the peritoneal cavity is the first and foremost requirement to start peritoneal dialysis. Most commonly, peritoneal dialysis catheters are inserted using a surgical approach. Laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion is the recommended surgical technique because it offers to employ advanced adjunctive procedures that minimize the risk of mechanical complications. In patients with low risk of mechanical catheter complications, such as patients without prior history of abdominal surgery or peritonitis, and in patients ineligible for general anesthesia, the percutaneous approach of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion is an alternative to surgical catheter insertion. Percutaneous insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters can be performed by a dedicated nephrologist, interventional radiologist, surgeon or nurse practitioner under local anesthesia, either with or without image guidance using ultrasound or fluoroscopy. Several reports show similar catheter function rates, mechanical and infectious complications and catheter survival for percutaneously inserted peritoneal dialysis catheters compared to surgically inserted peritoneal dialysis catheters. This article describes the percutaneous insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters technique adopted at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel since 2015. Our technique is a simple low-tech modified Seldinger procedure performed by the nephrologist and not using fluoroscopy guidance. We describe the excellent outcomes of our percutaneously inserted peritoneal dialysis catheters and offer a practical guide to set up your own percutaneous catheter insertion program.

Peritoneal catheter infections : data from the French language peritoneal dialysis registry (RDPLF), risk factors The French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF) record since 1997 all data dealing with peritoneal catheter insertion and follow up. The aim of this study is to analyze catheter infections on 10801 catheters in 144 centres from January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2018. Infections are more common in the first month and 50% occur before the tenth month. The risk of infection increases in case of wall hematoma, initial fluid leakage, and obesity. It decreases with the use of prophylactic antibiotics at the time of catheter insertion, with experienced operator, if the first dressing is delayed for 7 days, and with mupirocin as exit-site prophylaxis. During last two decades the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus infections has decreased, whereas the proportion of Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium and other Gram + cocci increased. The incidence of catheter infections is low compared to literature data: it decreased to 0.16 episodes per year for the 2013-2017 period. Adherence to ISPD guidelines: preoperative antibioprophylaxis is the most followed guideline (70.7% of catheter implantations in 2018). Local antibioprophylaxis concerns only 15.6% of catheters, and remains concentrated in a few centres ; mupirocin is the most frequently used agent. Screening for nasal carriage of S. aureus is performed in only 42% of cases. The catheter section of the RDPLF has allowed the follow-up of clinical practices incidence of infections and ecology for 21 years, both at the national and center level Our study confirms a wide variability in clinical practices, compared to ISPD guidelines.