Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion strategies and maintenance of catheter function

It has been more than 40 years since permanent peritoneal dialysis (PD) access with the Tenckhoff catheter was first described, and despite much experimentation with catheter design and insertion techniques, access to timely and skilled PD catheter insertion remains a barrier to more widespread PD use in many centers. This article reviews different insertion techniques with a focus on both mechanical outcomes as well as logistic advantages associated with the embedded catheter and percutaneous techniques. Maintenance of catheter function is discussed with a focus on an organized and evidence-based approach to preventing and treating mechanical catheter problems.