From "feeling" to "seeing": modification of the percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion with an optical...

Blind insertion limits the application of percutaneous peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement. In this study, we first described the use of an optical puncture system in the PD catheter insertion, and investigated the feasibility and advantages of this modified technique.

This retrospective study included 65 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) who received ultrasound-guided percutaneous PD catheter insertion with or without optical puncture system assistance between June 2018 and July 2019. The patients' characteristics as well as the surgical outcomes and complications were compared between the modified group and the routine percutaneous insertion group.

Twenty-five patients underwent optical puncture system assistant insertion, whereas 40 patients received routine percutaneous insertion. More patients had previous abdominal surgical histories in the modified group than those in the routine group (24.0% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.047). The time of accessing to the abdominal cavity was significantly shorter in the modified group (median [IQR]; 1.1 min [0.8-1.3] vs. 5.0 min [4.0-6.0]; p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the time of the whole procedure was also significantly shorter in the modified group (median [IQR]; 26.0 min [25.0-29.0] vs. 33.0 min [29.0-35.0]; p < 0.001). None of the patient in the modified group, while two patients (5.0%) in the routine group converted to open procedure. There were no significant differences in the short and long postoperative complications between the two groups.

The operation of ultrasound-guided PD catheter placement with the optical puncture system is easy, safe, fast and accurate, whereby the PD catheter can be implanted percutaneously and visually under local anesthesia with minimal procedure-related complications. The visible puncture of the optical puncture system may facilitate ultrasound-guided percutaneous PD catheter insertion in patients with obesity and previous abdominal surgeries.