Early start of CAPD with the Seldinger technique.

The ideal method for inserting continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters remains debatable. Minimally invasive techniques are becoming more popular. The routine recommendation for starting PD is 4 - 6 weeks after catheter insertion. We planned a prospective study to evaluate whether this waiting period is necessary. From January 2003 to July 2004, 42 double-cuff Tenckhoff CAPD catheters were inserted into 41 patients. Percutaneous technique was used and PD was started on the sixth day. Only 2 pericatheter leakages (4.8%) were detected. This procedure is comparatively safe, simple, and less costly than surgical and peritoneoscopic placement. The rate of early pericatheter leakage may be lowered with this technique and PD may be started earlier.