SECURE PLACEMENT OF PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS CATHETERS USING A LAPAROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE

Nineteen patients underwent laparoscopic placement of a peritoneal dia lysis catheter with suture fixation into the pelvis. Operating time ra nged from 20 to 60 min (median, 33), and the median postoperative stay for patients admitted solely for catheter placement was 1 day. No sig nificant morbidity was associated with this procedure, and all but one catheter functioned well over the long term. Suture fixation of lapar oscopically placed peritoneal dialysis catheters is straightforward, a nd may achieve better catheter function.