Subcutaneous Cuff Migrates after Initiation of Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether subcutaneous cuffs migrate toward the exit site after initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to clarify the factors affecting such migration. Subcutaneous cuff migration was defined as extension of the length of the external catheter. In this single-center, retrospective study, the external catheter lengths at initiation and 1 year later were compared in 33 PD patients (median age 62 years; 64% men; 49% with diabetes mellitus). The correlations between patient background characteristics at initiation and extension of catheter length were also examined. The external catheter length was significantly extended at 1 year later (13.5 vs 15.0 cm, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between a history of exit-site infection and extension of catheter length ( p = 0.250). Hemoglobin (r = -0.447, p = 0.009), serum albumin (r = -0.377, p = 0.031), and external catheter length at initiation (r = -0.350, p = 0.046) showed negative correlations with extension. In conclusion, subcutaneous cuff migration was observed in just 1 year and may be associated with malnutrition, anemia, and short external catheter length at initiation of PD.