Migration of Peritoneal Catheters: Personal Experience and a Survey of 72 Other Units

Abstract

From 1979 to 1986, nine of 177 Tenckhoff catheters (5.0%) placed for CAPD migrated on a total of II occasions. Straight Tenckhoffs accounted for 64% of these and coiled Tenckhoffs for 36%. Three catheters were repositioned using a Lunderquist guide wire with fluoroscopic guidance. One catheter was removed because of breakage of the guide wire and recurrent peritonitis. On four occasions operative intervention was required to reposition or replace the catheter. Three catheters flipped back into the pelvis and functioned normally. Correspondence with 244 CAPD units resulted in 72 responses (30%). Nineteen units (27%) reported greater than 5 Ofti incidence of migrations. Surgical intervention was required for 125 of 141 migrated catheters (88 Ofti). Five units switched from straight Tenckhoffs to other types of peritoneal catheters because of the problem of migration. Only one center reported successful nonoperative repositioning of a catheter.