Breaking-in after the insertion of Tenckhoff catheters: a comparison of two techniques

Breaking-in after catheter implantation may be an important factor in the development of early catheter-related infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We carried out a prospective study comparing two break-in techniques after catheter implantation. All patients entering the CAPD program from March 1991 to December 1992 were enrolled into the study. Data on diabetes mellitus status, Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage, and peritoneal dialysis-related infections were gathered. After catheter implantation, the patients were assigned to either have their catheter rested until the fourteenth postoperative day (group 1) or immediate use of the catheter for intermittent peritoneal dialysis (group 2). Exit-site care was identical for both groups. A total of 32 patients in group 1 and 74 in group 2 were studied. Age, sex, and S. aureus nasal carriage were not significantly different between the two groups. There were more patients with diabetes mellitus in group 2. Four patients in group 2 dropped out of the CAPD program because of refractory peritonitis. There was no significant difference in the number of exit-site infections between groups 1 and 2. There were more patients who had pericatheter leakage and catheter migration in group 2 compared to group 1, although the difference was not statistically significant.