Outcomes in buried versus non-buried peritoneal dialysis catheters: A retrospective cohort study

Aims: To compare the rates of infections (peritonitis and exit site infections) in patients undergoing non-buried versus buried peritoneal dialysis catheterisation for end-stage renal failure. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis catheter placement by one primary surgeon between January 2008 and August 2019. Information collected included, catheter characteristics, immediate post-operative complications, date of catheter exteriorisation, date of peritoneal dialysis commencement, rate of successful catheter function at initiation of peritoneal dialysis and rates of catheter-related complications (i.e. infection, revision status and obstruction). Results: 110 peritoneal dialysis catheters were inserted (43 non-buried and 67 buried peritoneal dialysis catheters). The non-buried group was associated with a higher proportion acquiring an infection than the buried group (15% vs 30%, p = 0.054). Patients with buried catheters also had a 72% and 65% decreased likelihood of experiencing a catheter-related infection and peritonitis, respectively, over time compared to patients with non-buried catheters in the unadjusted (crude incidence rate ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.70; P = 0.003). The proportion of catheter function at first use was 85% in the non-buried group and 78% in the buried group. Patients with non-buried versus buried catheters had similar proportions of complications, including: obstructions (25.6% vs 20.9%, p = 0.770), herniation (7.0% vs 4.0%, p = 0.327) and leaks (7.0% vs 1.5%, p = 0.134). Conclusion: The use of the buried peritoneal dialysis catheter technique as compared to the standard technique has revealed fewer overall catheter-related infections, particularly episodes of peritonitis and similar rates of mechanical complications in our series. In addition to that, the other benefits of buried peritoneal dialysis catheters such as lower healthcare cost, patient convenience and a viable option for patients in remote communities should prompt physicians to continue assessing suitable candidates for buried peritoneal dialysis catheters.

Re-Evaluating the Protective Effect of Hemodialysis Catheter Locking Solutions in Hemodialysis Patients

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) and exit-site infections (ESIs) are common complications associated with the use of central venous catheters for hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of routine locking solutions on the incidence of CRBSI and ESI, in preserving catheter function, and on the rate of all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We selected publications (from inception until July 2018) with studies comparing locking solutions for hemodialysis catheters used in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 21 eligible studies were included, with a total of 4832 patients and 318,769 days of catheter use. The incidence of CRBSI and ESI was significantly lower in the treated group (citrate-based regimen) than in the controls (heparin-based regimen). No significant difference in preserving catheter function and all-cause mortality was found between the two groups. Our findings demonstrated that routine locking solutions for hemodialysis catheters effectively reduce the incidence of CRBSIs and ESIs, but our findings failed to show a benefit for preserving catheter function and mortality rates. Therefore, further studies are urgently needed to conclusively evaluate the impact of routine locking solutions on preserving catheter function and improving the rates of all-cause mortality.

Successful Initiation of Dialysis with a 20-Year-Old Buried Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter: Case Report and Literature Review

Buried peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters are typically inserted several weeks or months before the anticipated need for dialysis. Occasionally, renal function unexpectedly stabilizes after the surgery, and a patient may go years before the catheter is needed. We report a case of successful initiation of PD with a twenty-year-old buried catheter. We outline the steps needed to optimize the catheter function and review the benefits of the buried PD catheter.

Use of the embedded peritoneal dialysis catheter

Introduction The use of embedded peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters is purported to offer numerous benefits over standard placement. However, the optimum period of embedment and the effect of prolonged embedment on subsequent catheter function remain unclear. Methods This retrospective observational study looked at adult patients undergoing embedded PD catheter insertion in a large tertiary referral centre in the UK. Possible predictors for catheter non-function at externalisation were investigated. These included patient factors (age, sex, diabetic status, body mass index, ethnicity, smoking status, previous surgery, estimated glomerular filtration rate), procedural factors (modality of surgery, concurrent surgical procedure), duration of catheter embedment and catheter damage at externalisation. Outcomes examined were proportion of catheters functioning after externalisation, futile placement rate, surgical reintervention rate, infectious complication rate and proportion of externalised catheters lost owing to malfunction. Results Sixty-six catheters were embedded and two-thirds (n=47, 63.6%) were externalised after a median embedment period of 39.4 weeks. Of these, 25 (53.2%) functioned on externalisation. Fourteen (63.6%) of the 22 non-functioning catheters were salvaged. The overall utilisation of PD was 34/47 (72.3%) and the futile placement rate was 12.1%. Over half of the externalised catheters (n=27, 57.4%) were lost directly as a result of catheter related complications, with a median survival time of 39.4 weeks. In adjusted analysis, increasing embedment duration was significantly predictive of catheter non-function at externalisation (adjusted odds ratio: 0.957, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.929–0.985, p=0.003) while subsequent catheter loss was highly dependent on catheter function at externalisation (hazard ratio: 0.258, 95% CI: 0.112–0.594, p=0.001). Conclusions Prolonged embedment of PD catheters is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of catheter dysfunction following externalisation, which is in turn associated with subsequent catheter loss. We have discontinued the use of this technique in our unit.

Efficacy of urokinase lock to treat thrombotic dysfunction of tunneled hemodialysis catheters: A retrospective cohort study

Background: There are few data to inform decisions about the optimal management of occluded tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters with thrombolytic locking solutions. The effect of dose, dwell-time, and number of administrations remains controversial. Methods: In this retrospective single-center review of tunneled cuffed catheters used between 2010 and 2014, restoration of blood flow as well as pre- and post-pump pressures after either short (30 min) or prolonged (48–72 h) administration of 100,000 IU of urokinase locking solution was evaluated in all thrombotic dysfunctions. We also assessed if multiple urokinase locks for the same thrombotic dysfunction event were more efficient to restore catheter performance than single administration. Results: Data on 773 thrombotic events in 148 patients (236 catheters) were collected during observation period. After urokinase treatment, blood flow and pre-pump pressure improved (median of 50 mL/min and 20 mmHg) whereas post-pump pressure decreased (median of 15 mmHg) (all P < 0.0001). The short thrombolytic procedure, used in more severely dysfunctional catheters, resulted in significantly larger improvements in catheter function than the long procedure. Multiple administrations for the same thrombotic event further improved access function in case of persisting dysfunction after first lock but had no added beneficial effect if blood flow and/or pump pressures were normalized after first urokinase lock. Conclusion: Both short and prolonged administration of urokinase locks were efficient in restoring blood flow and pre- and post-pump pressures in dialysis catheters with thrombotic dysfunction. Multiple urokinase locks provide added benefit on these outcomes only in case of persisting dysfunction after the first lock.