Revision of dysfunctional Tenckhoff catheters by laparoscopic technique in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis...

A laparoscopic technique was used to rescue dysfunctional Tenckhoff catheters in five continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This method proved to be effective in recovering the function of the catheters, whose malfunction was found to be due to catheter entrapment or endoluminal tamponing by the omentum. The videoscope-assisted laparoscopic technique provides access and allows identification and eradication of the specific etiology leading to catheter drainage failure. It also provides an alternative for treating patients with a dysfunctional Tenckhoff catheter. This method avoids the need to remove the original catheter or to reimplant a new catheter.