What is a peritoneal catheter?
What is a peritoneal catheter?
A peritoneal catheter is a small plastic tube that is implanted under the skin to provide a painless way of withdrawing excess fluid from or delivering anti-cancer drugs into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity over a period of weeks, months or even years.
Where is the peritoneal catheter placed?
A PD catheter (sometimes called a Tenckhoff catheter) is a special tube that is inserted into your abdominal cavity (space around the organs within your tummy). The PD catheter is soft to touch and should feel quite comfortable against your body.
When is a PD catheter used?
In general, it is recommended to have the catheter placed at least two weeks before beginning PD. There is also a buried PD catheter option that can be considered by your nephrologist and surgeon which allows early placement of a PD catheter prior to use. In some cases, PD may start a few days after surgery.
How does a peritoneal dialysis catheter work?
How does peritoneal dialysis work? A soft plastic tube (catheter) is placed in your belly by surgery. A sterile cleansing fluid is put into your belly through this catheter. After the filtering process is finished, the fluid leaves your body through the catheter.
Can I shower with a PD catheter?
The skin around the catheter should be kept dry until it is well healed — about 10 to 14 days. You should not take a shower or bath or go swimming during this time. These water sources are not sterile and can cause an exit site infection.
How long is recovery from PD catheter?
You will be able to shower when cleared by your PD nurse. While healing, you should not exercise too hard or do much lifting. The exit site should be completely healed at 4-6 weeks. It is important to prevent constipation after the catheter is placed.
Is peritoneal dialysis lifetime?
In patients with kidney failure it is placed only once and lasts the lifetime of the patient. It is the permanent access where the PD fluid will enter and exit from the patient’s abdomen in order for peritoneal dialysis to be performed.
What are the steps of peritoneal dialysis?
There are three steps involved in peritoneal dialysis: Fill: The dialysate fills the peritoneal cavity inside the patient’s abdomen. Dwell: When the fluid fills the peritoneal cavity, excess fluids and waste products in the blood pass through the peritoneal membrane and into the dialysate.
What are the advantages of peritoneal dialysis?
The primary advantage of peritoneal dialysis is increased comfort and ease of use, as the dialysis can be carried out at home, without the need for regular visits to a medical clinic for the dialysis to occur.
Where is the peritoneal dialysis catheter located?
Peritoneal dialysis catheters are the devices used during peritoneal dialysis to bring fluid in and out of a person’s abdomen. The catheter itself is a long, thin, flexible tube that is surgically placed into the abdomen directly below the belly button.
What are the complications of peritoneal dialysis?
Complications of peritoneal dialysis can include: Infections. An infection of the abdominal lining (peritonitis) is a common complication of peritoneal dialysis. An infection can also develop at the site where the catheter is inserted to carry the cleansing fluid (dialysate) into and out of your abdomen.