title: Minilaparotomy salvage of malfunctioning catheters in peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catheter malfunction is a common and significant complication during peritoneal dialysis (PD). We developed a minilaparotomy procedure to rescue malfunctioning catheters and to prevent recurrence of malfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2006 to 2011, 11 patients receiving PD had a malfunctioning catheter. In all patients, a 2-cm incision, 5 cm caudally to the previous peritoneal entry site was used to correct the malfunctioning catheter, with concomitant fixation of the catheter to the peritoneum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Catheter tip migration occurred in 7 patients, omental wrapping in 3, and blood clot obstruction in 1. The mean onset time to catheter malfunction was 197.5 days (range: 4 - 1270 days), and the mean operating time was 41 minutes (range: 35 - 56 minutes). There was no recurrence of catheter malfunction and no surgery-related peritonitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our minilaparotomy procedure is safe and feasible for the salvage of malfunctioning PD catheters.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jian-Ri
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chi-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Kun-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Chen-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chi-Rei
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hao-Chung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Jiunn-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Yen-Chuan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ou
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000601:surgery; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013536:Suture Techniques