Selective Infracolic Omentecomy and Fixation Reduces Complications after Laparoscopic Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement

Introduction Peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) provides a competitive alternative to hemodialysis (HD). Long-term catheter survival remains challenging and techniques are not standardized. Advanced laparoscopic placement with fixation and omentectomy might increase catheter survival. The goal of our study was to evaluate if selective infracolic omentectomy and fixation reduced complications after CAPD catheter placement. Materials and Methods A prospective database of patients with CAPD catheter placement from March 2004 to March 2015 was analyzed. All procedures were performed laparoscopically assisted and under general anesthesia by a single surgeon. 78 patients were included, there were no exclusion criteria. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. Fisher exact test and log-rank test with calculation of P-value was executed. P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results Of the 78 patients who underwent catheter placement, 53 (68%) were males and 25 (32%) were females. The mean age was 54 (ranged from 13 to 88 years). Selective infracolic omentectomy was performed in 32 patients if the momentum reached beyond the promontory. Non-resorbable sutures to fix the catheter were applied in 33 patients. The average duration of peritoneal dialysis was 21 months (range from ten days to 84 months). Omentectomy significantly reduced the incidence of catheter obstruction (3 vs. 11%, P=0.028) but not of catheter dislocation (19 vs. 30%, P=0.101). Omentectomy did not significantly increase the incidence of peritonitis (22 vs. 31%,P=0.133) or exit-site infection (16vs 17%, P=0.238). Catheter fixation with non-resorbable sutures reduced catheter dislocation (21 vs. 23%, P=0.226) and catheter obstruction( 12 vs.17%,P=0.223) with a significant reduction of peritonitis (15 vs. 29%, P=0.044) and no effect on exit-site infection (15 vs. 17%,P=0.251). Conclusion Laparoscopic PD catheter placement with selective omentectomy and fixation of the catheter to the abdominal wall is safe and feasible and leads to fewer complications. Key words: peritoneal, dialysis, catheter, complications, laparoscopy, omentectomy.