Percutaneous cuffed catheter insertion by nephrologists

The use of Dacron cuff double-lumen permanent catheters for hemodialysis ha s become more common in the dialysis unit as patients await for creation or maturation of a permanent hemoaccess for various reasons. Placement of the se catheters is often done by surgeons. Nephrologists skilled in the placem ent of temporary central vein accesses can extend their skill to placement of cuff catheters with the current available peel-away insertion technique. Data are presented on the percutaneous placement of 77 Dacron cuff permane nt catheters by 4 nephrologists in two medical centers in a nonoperating ro om setting with minimal complications.