Surgical aspects of peritoneal dialysis

Modern replacement kidney therapy belongs to a life-saving type of medical aid and includes dialysis and kidney transplantation. In the world’s nephrological practice integrated approach is preferable: the treatment starts with peritoneal dialysis as the most physiological method and later kidney transplantation or hemodialysis. Well-functioning peritoneal access is a key factor of successful peritoneal dialysis. Studies have shown that peritoneal dialysis, compared with hemodialysis, especially when performed in a dialysis center (not at home), has some clinical advantages. In particular, this treatment better preserves residual kidney function, better corrects anemia, avoids the need for vascular access, which in turn reduces the risk of access-related infectious complications, which in turn are the main cause of hospitalization and mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease. This review is focused on catheters for peritoneal dialysis access and methods of their placement. Malpractice of implantation technique can lead to unwanted consequences ranging from cuff extrusion and catheter migration to total loss of the latter. Following implantation technique by surgeons helps to avoid malpractice and improve the results. Implantation of a peritoneal catheter is an important component of peritoneal dialysis, which determines the quality of treatment, the development of non-infectious and infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis, and the duration of peritoneal dialysis therapy. A number of methods for implanting peritoneal catheters have been proposed in the world. All of them have the right to exist, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a method, the surgeon is guided by the objective data of the patient, the patient’s ability to endure more invasive interventions (duration, anesthesia, volume of surgery), the capabilities of the surgical department, experience and qualifications. Expansion of indications for the use of the peritoneal dialysis technique, its complications, as well as concomitant diseases should determine the optimal method for implanting a peritoneal dialysis catheter for a given patient. It should be noted that to date, sufficient data have not been obtained on the effect of the method of peritoneal catheter implantation on the expansion of indications for peritoneal dialysis, the incidence of complications, and the need for additional surgical interventions.