Complications after tenckhoff catheter insertion: a single-centre experience using multiple operators over four years.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the complications after Tenckhoff catheter insertion among patients with renal failure needing dialysis. ♢


METHODS
The open, paramedian approach is the commonest technique to insert the 62-cm coiled double-cuffed Tenckhoff peritoneal catheter. All patients with catheters inserted between January 2004 and November 2007 were retrospectively analyzed for demographics and followed for up to 1 month for complications. We excluded patients whose catheters had been anchored to the bladder wall and who underwent concurrent omentectomy or readjustment without removal of a malfunctioning catheter (n = 7). Intravenous cloxacillin was the standard preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. ♢


RESULTS
Over the 4-year study period, 384 catheters were inserted under local anesthetic into 319 patients [201 women (62.8%); mean age: 49.4 ± 16.7 years (range: 13 - 89 years); 167 (52.2%) with diabetes; 303 (95%) with end-stage renal disease] by 22 different operators. All Tenckhoff catheters were inserted by the general surgical (n = 223) or urology (n = 161) team. There were 29 cases (7.6%) of catheter migration, 22 (5.7%) of catheter obstruction without migration, 24 (6.3%) of exit-site infection, 12 (3.1%) of leak from the main incision, 14 (3.6%) of culture-proven wound infection, 11 (2.9%) post-insertion peritonitis, and 1 (0.3%) hemoperitoneum. No deaths were attributed to surgical mishap. ♢


CONCLUSIONS
The most common complication was catheter migration. The paramedian insertion technique was safe, with low complication rates.
Haemodialysis Unit, Department of Medicine, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. drliuwenjiun@johr.moh.gov.my
Wen Jiun
WJ
Liu
Lai Seong
LS
Hooi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult