Peritoneal dialysis access: a comparison of peritoneoscopic and surgical insertion techniques.

Prospectively collected data were analysed comparing 108 consecutive peritoneoscopically (n = 65) and surgically (n = 43) placed peritoneal dialysis catheters during a three-year period. Catheter-linked mechanical complications occurred more often in the peritoneoscopical group, and pericatheteral leakage ended in catheter loss in 13.8%. Overall probability of catheter survival in the peritoneoscopic group at 12, 24 and 36 months was 73%, 56% and 24%, and in the surgical group 87%, 87% and 66%, respectively (p < 0.05). Rates of infectious complications, peritonitis and exit site infections were similar.