Method of salvaging long-term dialysis catheters.
Hemodialysis is an important component of chronic renal replacement therapy, which is increasingly being provided with indwelling venous catheters. Catheter malfunction is commonly dealt with using Urokinase instillation or endovascular catheter stripping. We describe the application of a simple technique that allows the indwelling dialysis catheter to be replaced in a subcutaneous tunnel following manipulation for flow problems. Function was restored in all catheters without occurrence of tunnel infection or catheter-related sepsis. Preliminary results offer evidence of the efficacy of the technique in salvaging dialysis catheters, especially in patients with difficult vascular access.
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates