Evaluation of the Replaceable Peritoneal Catheter “Repl-A-Cath”: A Prospective Study

Abstract

The authors evaluated Repl-A-Cath -a replaceable peritoneal catheter, over a three-year period. This device consists of a silicone “percutaneous tunnel”, through which a catheter is inserted into the peritoneal cavity. The catheter, which is hermetically sealed to the silastic tunnel, can be removed and replaced non-surgically if necessary. Because of its system of hermetical sealing, it has the same degree of bacteriological safety as other models in use. Among 31 ReplA-Cath's implanted in 27 patients (21 on CAPD, six on IPD), the incidence of complications was very low. The greatest advantage of this catheter is that it can be replaced in case of obstruction and poor dialysate drainage can be corrected without trauma.