Tenckhoff catheter placement: surgical aspects.

A 3-year retrospective review of 110 consecutive Tenckhoff catheter placements was undertaken. Major complications were found in 3.6 per cent of cases and minor complications occurred in 30 per cent. Analysis of cases in which catheters failed revealed that obesity and prior abdominal surgery occurred in 75 per cent of these patients. Attention to these factors and the use of appropriate techniques of placement and, in special situations, the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy have reduced the failure rate of these high-risk situations. Management of infective complications are outlined and should include continued antibiotic dialysis and catheter replacement only if persistent peritonitis or fungal peritonitis occur. With these guidelines, improved peritoneal dialysis can be undertaken with less morbidity to the patient.