LAUSR

The clinical approach to peritoneal catheter malfunction consists usually in laxative prescription, abdominal radiography, brushing of the catheter lumen, guide-wire manipulation or catheter fluoroscopy. Only specialized centers apply videolaparoscopy for catheter rescue interventions. Up to now, limited experience is present regarding the evaluation of the intraperitoneal tract of the peritoneal catheter in adult patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic capability of B-mode ultrasound (US) followed by colour Doppler US (Doppler US) in persistent peritoneal catheter malfunction. US followed by Doppler US of the intraperitoneal part of the catheter was performed prior to videolaparoscopy intervention in 40 adult patients presenting persistent peritoneal catheter malfunction despite non-invasive therapy such as laxative prescription and brushing of the catheter lumen. US and Doppler US diagnosis were compared to the corresponding at videolaparoscopy intervention, and the causes of mismatch analyzed. In all patients US was performed after filling of the abdominal cavity with peritoneal dialysis solution of at least one liter. Doppler US along the intraperitoneal segment of the catheter was performed by flushing with dialysis fluid. In US, causes of persistent malfunction were catheter dislocation combined with omental wrapping in 21 cases, omental wrapping without dislocation in 11 cases, dislocation only in 4 cases, adherences to non-omental structures in 3 cases and entrapment in the lateral inguinal fossa in one case. The correspondence of US and videolaparoscopy diagnosis was 90%, respectively in 36 of 40 cases. The discrepancies were due to improper visualization of the catheter caused by constipation and embedding of the catheter between intestinal loops, resulting in an erroneous US diagnosis of omental wrapping, whereas videolaparoscopy showed encasement of the catheter between intestinal loops in three cases and presence of adherences to tubal structures in one case. Doppler US clarified the functional aspects of the catheter, thus increasing the correspondence to videolaparoscopy up to 39 out of 40 cases (97.5%) US combined with Doppler US is helpful in making a correct pre-operative diagnosis of persistent peritoneal catheter malfunction and in planning of the videolaparoscopy rescue intervention.