[Use of a Tenckhoff catheter implanted in the superior vena cava in hemodialysis]

For some patients in hemodialysis, repeated failure of conventional access routes requires consideration of unusual forms of access. For others, peritonitis or other problems may temporarily restrict the use of peritoneal route. We report our experience with Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter implanted into the superior vena cava through a venotomy in the right external jugular vein. The catheter was used for hemodialysis in five patients and we had no serious problems. Recirculation rate and removal rates of BUN and creatinine showed a satisfactory dialysis efficiency. While we do not recommend the procedure for routine permanent access, we believe that this technique provides a significant new choice in patients in whom conventional access methods have failed.