Two-port laparoscopic placement of a peritoneal dialysis catheter with abdominal wall fixation

We devised a new laparoscopic technique for peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) placement to overcome the common problem of malfunction or migration of the catheter. Between March 2005 and August 2006, 38 patients underwent laparoscopic catheter placement with lower abdominal wall fixation. Using an abdominal scout film, we checked for catheter tip migration regularly. There was no leak in the immediate postoperative period. After follow-up of 21.5 months (range 6-34), all catheters were working properly, although tip migrations were found in the iliac fossa in three patients and in the right upper quadrant in one patient. A port site hernia developed in one patient and peritonitis developed in two patients. Only one remote migration (2.6%) occurred during the study period. Thus, our method of laparoscopic catheter insertion might be a feasible option.