A prospective randomized study on three different peritoneal dialysis catheters.
OBJECTIVE
We compared outcomes for catheters with different configurations: conventional straight, swan-neck straight tip, and swan-neck curled tip.


METHODS
The study was conducted as a prospective randomized controlled trial in the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) unit of a university center.


METHODS
We randomized 93 new regular CAPD patients without prior peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion to receive a conventional straight, double-cuffed catheter (CS), a swan-neck straight catheter (SNC), or a swan-neck curled tip catheter (SNC) in 2:1:1 ratio.


RESULTS
The exit-site infection (ESI) rate was slightly lower with swan-neck catheters as compared with straight catheters, but the difference was not statistically significant. The peritonitis rate and overall catheter survival were similar. In Staphylococcus aureus nasal non carriers as compared with carriers, ESI-free catheter survival was significantly better with swan-neck catheters (p = 0.0302 and p = 0.82 respectively). As compared with SC catheters, SNC catheters had a significantly higher migration rate (p = 0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
Swan-neck catheters were associated with a slightly better ESI rate, but SNC catheters are not routinely recommended because of a high migration rate. The SNS catheter is therefore recommended as the first-line catheter of choice, particularly in populations with a low rate of S. aureus nasal carriage.
Lo
Wai-Kei
WK
Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, Tung Wah Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Lui
Sing-Leung
SL
Li
Fu-Keung
FK
Choy
Bo-Ying
BY
Lam
Man-Fai
MF
Tse
Kai-Chung
KC
Yip
Terence P S
TP
Ng
Flora S K
FS
Lam
Suk-Ching
SC
Chu
Wai-Ling
WL
Cheng
Suk-Wai
SW
D002404:Catheterization; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies