Laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation with an intra-abdominal fixation technique: a report of 53 cases.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, the safety, and outcomes of renal replacement therapy with the laparoscopic technique for peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter implantation with an intra-abdominal fixation.

Methods: Medical records of 53 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent laparoscopic PD catheter implantation with an intra-abdominal fixation in our department from December 2008 to October 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Their surgical procedure, operative outcomes, postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.

Results: All patients underwent laparoscopic PD catheter implantation with an intra-abdominal fixation successfully. Neither conversion to open surgery nor major intraoperative complications were observed. The median operative time was 24.2±10.5 minutes. The operative cost was 837.3±107.0 US$. Two patients (3.8%) had catheter obstruction peritonitis 12 and 15 months after surgery, respectively, and both of them had the catheter removed.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic PD catheter implantation with an intra-abdominal fixation of the catheter tip is feasible and safe. It had a low incidence of PD catheter migration and other PD-related postoperative complications with the benefit of minimal invasiveness, a shorter operation time, and quicker postoperative recovery.