COMPARISON OF THE SURVIVAL AND COMPLICATIONS OF THREE PERMANENT PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETERS

Abstract

SUMMARY This study reports the results of a retrospective analysis of our experience with four types of peritoneal catheters: Surgically implanted Tenckhoff (TS), medically implanted Tenckhoff (TM) and the two types of the Toronto Western Hospital catheters (TWHl and TWH2). The TWH2 catheter had the best two year survival (78% ) and the TM had the worst (580/{) ). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). One-way (outflow) obstruction was the most common cause of catheter failure. We observed a high incidence of dialysate leaks, occurring more frequently in women, those older than 60 and in second or subsequent catheters. Implantation of the catheter in the midline may be responsible for the high incidence of dialysate leak. Implantation through the rectus muscle may prevent this complication. The success of chronic peritoneal dialysis