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BACKGROUND Silver nitrate cauterisation is the conventional treatment for peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site granulomas. However, it requires to be performed by nurses, patients often experience pain and chemical burns. Therefore, the appropriateness and applicability of using 2% aqueous chlorhexidine swabstick as an alternative was explored in two nephrology centres in Hong Kong. OBJECTIVE To examine possibility of conducting full trial using chlorhexidine swabstick compared with silver nitrate. DESIGN A pilot study. PARTICIPANTS Fort-four patients with exit-site granulomas were equally, randomly allocated to receive chlorhexidine swabstick or silver nitrate. MEASUREMENTS Both groups were followed for 6 weeks to evaluate the time of granuloma subsidence and adverse effects. Pain and treatment satisfaction were assessed using numerical rating scale and self-developed questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS Healing rates were 94.4% (17 of 18) using chlorhexidine swabstick,100% (21 of 21) using silver nitrate (p = 0.46). The mean time of granuloma subsidence was significantly longer when using chlorhexidine swabstick (32.8 days) than silver nitrate (12.3 days, p=0.02). The chlorhexidine swabstick group reported significantly fewer adverse effects (11.1%, 2 of 18, p = 0.01) compared with the silver nitrate group (52.4%, 11 of 21). The chlorhexidine swabstick group had lower mean pain score (0.5 of 11) than the silver nitrate group (2.4 of 11, p < 0.01). The satisfaction scores between the two groups had no substantial difference. CONCLUSION Chlorhexidine swabstick took long time to remove granulomas but had similar success rate, less pain, fewer adverse effects than silver nitrate. Additional research is warranted to examine the applicability of chlorhexidine swabstick.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis of peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion between blind and surgical methods by nephrologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS The present study enrolled 249 peritoneal dialysis patients who received first-time PDC insertion. All PDC insertions were performed using either the blind or surgical method. In our hospital during the study period, two of three nephrologists performed the blind method routinely in all eligible patients (blind group), and one of three nephrologists performed the surgical method in all eligible patients (surgical group). Catheter outcomes, including infectious or mechanical complications, functional parameters, and catheter survival, were evaluated. RESULTS The numbers of patients underwent surgical or blind methods were 105 and 144, respectively. The use of systemic analgesics in the surgical group was higher than that in the blind group. The operation time was longer in the blind group than in the surgical group. The D0 level and peritoneal Kt/V were similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in infectious and mechanical complications between the two groups. The catheter survival and intervention-free survival were similar between the two groups (P = .995 for catheter survival and P = .723 for intervention-free survival). CONCLUSION Our study shows that catheter outcomes are similar between blind and surgical insertion techniques performed by nephrologists. These findings reveal that patients without previous major abdominal surgery would be suitable to receive any one of the two methods according to the operator-friendly technique.

Percutaneous insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters is theoretically most preferred by nephrologists because of the advantages of bedside performing, surgery independence, and minimal injury over other procedures of catheter placement such as open surgical dissection or laparoscopic operation. However, blindly placing catheters in the percutaneous procedure brings the risk of catheter malposition or bowel perforation; this largely retarded it's implementation. We had previously developed a novel technique termed "Wang's forceps-assisted catheter insertion and fixation," which had been successfully applied in the open surgical catheter insertion and displaced catheter reposition in our center. In this study, we further explored the possibility of applying the Wang's forceps in the procedure of percutaneous catheter insertion both in porcine model and patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of three miniature pigs successfully received percutaneous catheter insertion using Seldinger's technique with Wang's forceps assistance. The catheters were all placed in the right position and functioning well in dialysate drainage. This novel method of percutaneous catheter insertion was then performed on 20 ESRD patients. The procedure showed effective time-saving with the average operating time of 29.2 ± 3.53 min and was well tolerated by patients with minimal pain and injury. During a follow-up time of 6 months, no complications of catheter displacement, leakage, or blockade occurred. Our preliminary observation demonstrates that utilization of Wang's forceps in a percutaneous procedure conferred benefits of accurately placing and fixing catheters while preserving the merits of minimal invasion and simple performance.

Objective To describe a technique of laparoscopic-assisted placement of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter with simultaneously performed partial omentectomy and omentopexy. Study Design Pilot experimental study. Animals Beagle dogs (n = 6). Methods After placement of 1 sub-umbilical laparoscope portal and 1 instrument portal in the left cranial abdominal quadrant, laparoscopic-assisted partial omentectomy, and omentopexy were performed, and a modified Tenckhoff PD catheter was placed under laparoscopic guidance. A modified dialysis protocol was used twice daily for 4 days. The feasibility of the procedure, surgical duration, operative complications, and dialysis efficacy were evaluated. Postoperative pain and inflammation were graded (0–3). Results The procedure was successfully performed in all dogs with a median operating time of 25 minutes. No operative complications occurred. Procedure-related postoperative pain and inflammation were minimal. Eight consecutive PD procedures were successfully performed, and no leakage or obstruction was observed. Conclusions Laparoscopic-assisted partial omentectomy and omentopexy can be performed at the same time as PD catheter placement with minimal morbidity.

Traditionally peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter was implanted by surgeons using mini-laparotomy or open technique in Malaysia. We introduced peritoneoscopic Tenckhoff catheter insertion technique since the beginning of our PD program. Data were collected from the start of our PD program in February 2006 until April 2008. All Tenckhoff catheters were inserted by nephrologists using the peritoneoscope technique. We also compare the penetration rate of PD versus hemodialysis (HD) in our center, as well as comparing to national PD penetration rate. There were 83 patients who underwent 91 peritoneoscope Tenckhoff catheter insertion procedures from March 2006 until April 2008. The patients were mostly female (66%) with the mean age of 51.99 ± 1.78 years and the majority (67%) of them were diabetics. All together there were 749.7 patient-months at risk and the overall peritonitis rate was 1 in 93.7 patient-months. The 1-year catheter survival was 86.5%. Primary catheter failure (defined as failure of the catheter within 1 month of insertion) occurred in 16 procedures (17.6%). The main cause of catheter malfunction was catheter tip migration and omentum wrap. The penetration ratio of PD when compared with HD in our center is 44.8%, which is about 4.5 times the national average. With our integrated care approach where nephrologist was heavily involved from the outset of renal replacement therapy discussion, PD access implantation to the assistance of spoke person to whom new patient can identify with, we were able to achieve PD penetration rate which far exceeds that of the national average.

Background: Leakage remains a problem with all methods of catheter placement. We describe our experience with a new mini-laparoscopic technique for catheter placement in patients with end-stage renal failure. Patients and methods: Between May 2002 and March 2004, 24 patients underwent mini-laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters. All patients had end-stage renal failure with difficult vascular access for haemodialysis. There were 11 men and 13 women with a mean age of 51.4 years (range: 18–75 years). Operative time, interval to initiation of successful peritoneal dialysis, postoperative pain management, resumption of diet and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The mean operative time was 32.3 min (range: 15–40 min). All patients were given a normal diet on the day of surgery. Postoperative pain was controlled with paracetamol tablets three times daily for 2–3 days. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 days (range: 3–4 days). No patients developed leakage either from the ports or around the catheter. Two (8.3%) patients had blockage of the catheter and underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic correction. Two (8.3%) patients had migration of the catheter which required laparoscopic repositioning. The follow-up range was between 2 and 22 months. Conclusion: Mini-laparoscopic technique for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter is unique because it uses only two ports. The catheter is made to exit via a 2 mm port site and does not require specially designed instruments.

To prevent bacterial growth on silicone catheters and other medical devices a new coating concept based on covalent immobilisation of a group of bipolar membrane spanning tetraether lipids from archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum was developed. A lipophilic layer with optional further functionality was introduced to the surface of commercially available medical silicone elastomer slides and tubes. Physico-chemical characterisation of the different surface modified polymers represents the basis for the optimisation of the monomolecular coatings. The new tetraether lipid coated catheter surfaces showed a successful reduction of bacterial adherence associated with an excellent biocompatibility. Anti-infektive Oberflachen auf Tetraetherlipidbasis fur peritoneale Dialysesysteme Um bakterielles Wachstum auf Silikonkathetern und anderen medizinischen Geraten zu verhindern, wurde ein neues Beschichtungskonzept entwickelt, das auf der kovalenten Fixierung einer Gruppe bipolarer membranspannender Tetraetherlipide des Archaeas Thermoplasma acidophilum basiert. Eine lipophile Schicht mit wahlfreier und erweiterbarer Funktionalitat wurde auf die Oberflache von kommerziell erhaltlichen medizinischen Silikonfolien und –schlauchen appliziert. Die physikalisch-chemische Charakterisierung der Oberflachen unterschiedlich modifizierter Polymere reprasentiert die Basis fur die Optimierung dieser monomolekularen Schichten. Die neuen Tetraetherlipid-beschichteten Katheteroberflachen zeigten eine deutliche Reduzierung der bakteriellen Adhasion in Verbindung mit einer ausgezeichneten systemischen Biokompatibilitat.

Presternally exiting peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters have been described as advantageous compared to abdominally exiting catheters with regard to infection, wound healing, and other complications. Placement of such catheters has only been described with open surgical techniques and not by percutaneous means. In this article we describe 15 patients who received percutaneously placed PD catheters with a presternal exit site. These patients received their procedures in an outpatient procedure room performed by an interventional nephrologist. In all but one case, immediate technical success was achieved. In only one case was peritonitis documented. All catheters are still functional, including some with follow-up as long as 15 months. Percutaneous placement of presternally exiting PD catheters is technically straightforward and can avoid an open surgical procedure.

Mechanical problems of the Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) catheter remain a significant cause of temporary or even permanent transfer to hemodialysis. Until recently, the most popular approach was to remove the problematic PD catheter than to try to salvage it. We report a case of severe (two-way) PD catheter obstruction that appeared after spontaneous hemoperitoneum and did not resolve with multiple conservative measures. However, it was successfully salvaged by laparoscopic surgery and milking of a big intraluminal clot.

A 28-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease maintained on peritoneal dialysis developed a hyperpigmented macular pruritic rash on multiple parts of her body associated with an eosinophilia of 22%. The consulting allergist suspected a silicone allergy from the peritoneal dialysis catheter. A patch test confirmed this diagnosis. Treatment with both topical and systemic steroids was ineffective. Following a living nonrelated renal transplant and removal of the catheter the rash and eosinophilia resolved.

A 5-day-old neonate born at term presented in renal failure for insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter. This was successfully achieved with spinal anaesthesia, with no intra- or postoperative complications. Regional techniques are considered suitable for an increasing variety of procedures in patients in whom the risks of general anaesthesia are significant.

Peritoneal dialysis catheters can be placed under local anaesthesia using a peritoneoscope. Although this procedure has been shown to be equal, if not superior, to surgical placement in a number of trials, the technique is not widely used. The procedure can be performed safely by a nephrologist, as a day case, at the convenience of both the patient and the renal service. In the present retrospective study, we present 3 years of experience using peritoneoscopic catheter insertion in a rural setting.

A modified fluoroscopic technique by adding ultrasound-assistance ensuring entry into the abdominal cavity and avoiding the risk of epigastric artery injury under direct ultrasound visualization was recently published. This study demonstrated that the technique was minimally invasive and allowed for accurate assessment of entry into the abdominal cavity and avoidance of vascular injury. In the current analysis, we report the impact of this technique on hospital stay during a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion. Twenty-six PD catheters have been placed on an outpatient basis using this technique. All catheter insertions were successful. Patients were discharge on the same day of the procedure. There were no procedure-related complication or related to short hospital stay. An ambulatory setting allows for a short hospital stay without compromising patient care. This brief paper explains in detail the pre, peri and postoperative period and follow-up.