Laparoscopic epiplopexy of the greater omentum and epiploic appendices in the salvaging of dysfunctional peritoneal dialysis catheters.

The success of peritoneal dialysis in the management of chronic renal failure depends on the proper function of the implanted catheter. Common causes of catheter drainage dysfunction include an omental wrap or blockage of the catheter by other intraperitoneal structures. The present report describes laparoscopic management of five patients with outflow obstruction of a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Epiplopexy of the greater omentum or epiploic appendices was employed in all cases to prevent potential recurrence of catheter dysfunction. Technique and other procedural details are described. Long-term successful function of the peritoneal dialysis catheter was restored in all patients.