PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous radiologic placement of p
eritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters,
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with end-stage renal disease were r
eferred for percutaneous radiologic placement of a commercially available P
D catheter. The patient group consisted of 11 men and eight women with a me
an age of 58 years (range, 38-85 y), All procedures were performed on an ou
tpatient basis with use of conscious sedation. Patients were followed up to
determine technical success, complication rate, catheter survival (continu
ous patency without infection or mechanical dysfunction), and long-term out
come.
RESULTS: The technical success rate for catheter placement was 95% (18 of 1
9), Complications included one (5%) failed attempt at catheter placement an
d one (5%) case of postplacement peritonitis. Mean and median catheter surv
ival durations were 320 and 289 days, respectively (range, 33-823 d), A Kap
lan-Meier survival analysis yielded 6-, 12-, and 24-month probabilities of
catheter survival of 0.89 +/- 0.15, 0.81 +/- 0,20, and 0.81 +/- 0,20, respe
ctively. Long-term outcomes included: continued PD, n = 9 (47%); death, n =
6 (32%; all related to comorbid disease); successful renal transplant, n =
2 (10.5%); and continued or resumed hemodialysis, n = 2 (10.5%),
CONCLUSION: Percutaneous radiologic placement of PD catheters has a high te
chnical success rate, low complication rate, and can be performed on an out
patient basis. Catheter survival is comparable to that achieved with surgic
al and percutaneous endoscopic methods of catheter placement.