Laparoscopic implantation of Oreopoulos-Zellermann catheters for peritoneal dialysis.

For the implantation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters, both the laparoscopic technique and the use of an Oreopoulos-Zellermann catheter have been suggested to be preferable to the open technique using Tenckhoff catheters. Building on advantages of known techniques, we here describe a procedure for the laparoscopic implantation of the Oreopoulos-Zellermann catheter. The procedure is quick, efficient and unstressful to the patient. After nearly 10,000 patient-days of catheter use, we find positive results with regard to permanently good inlet and outlet flows, low incidence of exit site infections and leaks from the catheter tunnel.