Objective: To evaluate catheter-related complications among self-locating and other variants of Tenckhoff catheters.
Patients and methods: We studied all self-locating catheters implanted in our hospitals from May/97 to Dec/05. We extended the follow-up to Jun/05. We collected demographic data, causes of catheter withdrawal and dropping of PD. We studied data about technique and catheter related complications.
Results: We included 328 catheters in 285 patients. There were 258 self-locating, 55 straight and 15 curled. There was a higher rate of catheter withdrawal due to malfunction in patients with straight or pig-tail catheters than in self-locating ones (log-rank, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In our patients, self-locating catheters have a lower malfunction rate than other variants of Tenckhoff catheters.