A Laparoscopic Method for Optimal Peritoneal Dialysis Access

Both medical benefits to the patient and financial incentives to the health care system exist to increase the use of peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy. Providing long-term peritoneal access free of mechanical dysfunction continues to represent a major challenge to the success of this modality. Variable outcomes result from the lack of standard implantation methodology and failure to address persistent problems associated with current implantation techniques. This prospective case study compared noninfectious procedural complications of three approaches to establish peritoneal dialysis access. The groups consisted of 63 catheters implanted by traditional open dissection, 78 catheters implanted by basic laparoscopy without associated interventions, and 200 catheters implanted by advanced laparoscopic methods including rectus sheath tunneling, selective prophylactic omentopexy, and selective adhesiolysis. Mechanical flow obstruction, the major outcome indicator, followed only 1 of 200 (0.5%) implantation procedures in the advanced group and was significantly better (P < 0.0001) than the open dissection (17.5%) and basic laparoscopic (12.5%) groups. A low rate of pericannular leaks (1.3-2%) was not different for the three groups. One pericannular hernia occurred in the open group. Catheter mechanical dysfunction attributable to the surgical technique can nearly be eliminated through adjunctive procedures made possible only by a laparoscopic approach.