A technique to address peritoneal dialysis catheter malfunction.

BACKGROUND

A 66-year-old male with a history of severe ischemic myopathy and renal failure underwent a combined heart and kidney transplant. Postoperative failure of the transplanted kidney eventually led to the need for peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

After one month, the PD catheter was laparoscopically repositioned after it was found to have migrated from its correct position in the pelvis and twisted and clogged in the omentum. After one more month, the same complication recurred. Laparoscopy was again used to clear the clogged catheter and reposition it. This time, a testicular prosthesis was sewn to the catheter and used as an anchoring weight for the proper position in the pelvis.

RESULTS

Six months after anchoring with the testicular prosthesis, the peritoneal dialysis catheter continues to function appropriately, and the patient has no complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

Mal-positioned peritoneal dialysis catheters may be repositioned and anchored by using a testicular prosthesis in the event that weighted catheters are not available.