Importance of the creation of a short musculofascial tunnel in peritoneal dialysis catheter placement

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter migration impedes the efficacy of dialysis. Therefore, several techniques involving additional sutures or incisions have been proposed to maintain catheter position in the pelvis.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of creating a short musculofascial tunnel beneath the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis during PD catheter implantation.

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD catheter implantation between 2015 and 2019 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the procedure performed: Patients who underwent catheter implantation without a musculofascial tunnel before 2017 and those who underwent the procedure with a tunnel after 2017. We recorded patient characteristics and catheter complications over a two-year follow-up period. In addition, postoperative plain abdominal radiographs were reviewed to determine the catheter angle in the event of migration.

RESULTS

The no-tunnel and tunnel groups included 115 and 107 patients, respectively. Compared to the no-tunnel group, the tunnel group showed lesser catheter angle deviation toward the pelvis (15.51 ± 11.30 vs 25.00 ± 23.08, P = 0.0002) immediately after the operation, and a smaller range of migration within 2 years postoperatively (13.48 ± 10.71 vs 44.34 ± 41.29, P < 0.0001). Four events of catheter dysfunction due to migration were observed in the no-tunnel group, and none occurred in the tunnel group. There was no difference in the two-year catheter function survival rate between the two groups (88.90% vs 84.79%, P = 0.3799).

CONCLUSION

The musculofascial tunnel helps maintain catheter position in the pelvis and reduces migration, thus preventing catheter dysfunction.

Key Words: Catheter migration, Peritoneal dialysis, Tenckhoff catheter implantation, Renal replacement

Core Tip: We present a simple add-on procedure to the traditional open surgery method of peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation. Our method does not need an additional incision, suture, or change of surgical site. We analyzed images of the catheter and measured its deviation angle, which is related directly to the so-called “migration”. Indeed, patients who underwent the traditional method had a greater initial deviation angle and more angle shift in later images than did those who underwent the modified catheter implantation. This simple modification helps to maintain the catheter in the expected orientation, which will increase the efficacy of dialysis.

INTRODUCTION

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely applied therapy for long-term renal replacement. During PD, a catheter is essential for infusion and drainage of the dialysate. PD catheter implantation is performed by inserting a catheter through the abdominal wall and positioning the tip in the pelvic cavity, which is an ideal drainage site. However, in some patients, the catheter tip may migrate postoperatively, leading to flow dysfunction.

According to the guidelines published by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) in 2019[1], a 2.5-cm long musculofascial tunnel beneath the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis is suggested to orient the catheter tip in the pelvis using the shape-memory of the straight catheter, which was first described in 1981[2]. Nevertheless, there is no current literature comparing the efficacy of this tunneling technique in reducing catheter migration with other procedures. Moreover, several studies[3-5] have described the “traditional” open surgical dissection technique without a musculofascial tunnel. However, those studies reported a higher catheter migration rate in comparison to other modified procedures, in which an additional skin incision[4] or supplementary sutures[5] were needed to “orient” the catheter downward.

In this study, we performed catheter insertion through the abdominal wall without a musculofascial tunnel before 2017 and noticed occasional catheter migration. In the subsequent year, we introduced the musculofascial tunnel technique as a routine procedure in our center. This retrospective study aimed to examine the efficacy of creating a short musculofascial tunnel beneath the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis in PD implantation by comparing the catheter migration rates with those of PD implantation following the traditional procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent PD catheter implantation from 2015 to 2019 at our hospital. The same surgical team performed all of the procedures, and all patients underwent open dissection surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: Patients who underwent catheter implantation without a musculofascial tunnel before 2017 and those who underwent the modified procedure with a tunnel after 2017. This retrospective study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of NTUH (202106072RINA).

Operation

All patients received local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. The left side was preferred for surgery as the patients might be considered for future kidney transplantation using a right-sided approach. A 2–3-cm vertical incision was made over the lower rectus abdominis, and a small opening was created over the anterior sheath at the lower part of the incision. We then split the rectus abdominis bluntly to open the posterior sheath and peritoneum. After placing a purse-string suture, a 41 cm straight catheter with two cuffs (Covidien, Mansfield, United States) was inserted blindly toward the pelvis. In the no-tunnel group, the catheter was extracted from the rectus abdominis via the same opening in the anterior sheath, and the deep cuff was left in the muscle layer (Figure 1, left). In the tunnel group, we pierced the anterior sheath approximately 1-2 cm superior to the previous opening to extract the catheter and left the deep cuff beneath the sheath (Figure 1, right). A subcutaneous tunnel was created similarly in both groups to exit the site and orient the catheter downward.

Figure 1 A schematic presentation of the “no-tunnel” (left) vs the modified “tunnel” methods (right) for catheter implantation.

Measurement of the catheter angle

Postoperative plain film radiographs were reviewed to determine the angle of the catheter (Figure 2A). The catheter was placed into the pelvis perpendicularly during the procedure (ideal angle 0º). The angle of the catheter was calculated based on the axis of the catheter 5 cm below the deep cuff. All patients underwent radiography on the same day of the operation. We also reviewed all available radiographs taken within 2 years following the implantation. All angles of the catheter direction were recorded. The maximal migration angle was defined as the maximal disparity between any two measurements within the 2 years.

Figure 2 Comparison of catheter angle and migration. A: Shows the catheter direction on a plain radiograph (upper) and catheter angle deviation (lower). The absolute value of the angle was significantly greater in the no-tunnel group than in the tunnel group (lower, ^cP = 0.0002 by unpaired t-test); B: The maximal difference in catheter angle. The tunnel group had a smaller range of catheter migration (^dP < 0.0001).

Catheter survival

Overall catheter survival was determined at the time when patients discontinued PD for any reason. Therefore, patients were included if catheter function remained normal, but PD was ceased due to factors not attributed to the catheter itself, such as death, transplantation, personal choice, inguinal hernia, or subsequent abdominal surgery. The data of patients included in this category were censored.

Statistical analysis

Continuous variables are presented as mean ± SD. A two-sample t-test with Welch’s correction was used to compare nominal data sets. Data proportions were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Two-sided P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We presented the data using Kaplan-Meier curves for the overall and functional catheter survival rates and analyzed them using a log-rank test. Statistical analysis was performed using the software GraphPad Prism 9.1.0 (GraphPad Software, LLC, CA, United States).

RESULTS

Demographic data of the patients

This study included 222 patients who underwent PD catheter implantation from 2015 to 2019. Among these patients, 115 underwent the procedure without a musculofascial tunnel before July 2017, and 107 underwent the modified procedure with a tunnel starting from August 2017. There was no difference in age, sex ratio, or primary renal disease incidence between the no-tunnel and tunnel groups (Table 1). In addition, no differences in body mass index or abdominal surgery history were observed between the two groups.

Table 1 Comparison of baseline characteristics between the “no-tunnel” and “tunnel” groups¹.

	No-tunnel (n = 115)	Tunnel (n = 107)	P value
Age (yr, mean ± SD)	57.03 ± 17.88	58.49 ± 16.38	0.4093
Male, n (%)	64 (55.65)	67 (62.62)	0.3395
BMI (kg/m2, mean ± SD)	23.85 ± 4.27	24.16 ± 4.07	0.5884
Cause of ESRD, n (%)			0.1434
GN	26 (22.61)	23 (21.50)
Polycystic kidney	2 (1.74)	5 (4.67)
Diabetes mellitus	17 (14.78)	26 (24.30)
Others	70 (60.87)	53 (49.52)
History of abdominal surgery, n (%)	22 (19.13)	18 (16.82)	0.7279

¹A two-tailed Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables, and a two-tailed unpaired t-test was used for continuous variables.

SD: Standard deviation; ESRD: End-stage renal disease; BMI: body mass index; GN: Glomerulonephritis.

Postoperative position of the catheter

The absolute value of the catheter angle was significantly smaller in the tunnel group than in the no-tunnel group (15.51 ± 11.30 vs 25.00 ± 23.08º, P = 0.0002). Moreover, there were fewer cases of catheter migration greater than 45 in the tunnel group than in the no-tunnel group (1.87% vs 13.04%, P = 0.0018).

Catheter migration in the 2 years following surgery

All patients had at least one radiograph taken in the two-year period following catheter placement. Patients who underwent catheter placement with an associated musculofascial tunnel displayed a significantly lower shift in the catheter angle than the patients who underwent catheter placement without a tunnel (Figure 2B, 13.48 ± 10.71 vs 44.34 ± 41.29º, P < 0.0001), implying that the catheter tip remained more stable in the pelvic cavity when the musculofascial tunnel was created.

Catheter complications

Dysfunction of the catheter due to migration was observed in four patients over the two-year follow-up period, and all affected patients were in the no-tunnel group. In addition, both groups had two cases of catheter obstruction due to omental wrapping. PD was resumed successfully in all four patients following laparoscopic omentectomy.

Catheter survival

At the end of the two-year follow-up period, more than 70% of patients in both groups continued PD (Figure 3). The most common reasons for discontinuation were peritonitis and death (Table 2). After censoring the causes of discontinuation that were not attributed to the catheter (mentioned above), we performed a “function” survival analysis of the catheter, which revealed a two-year survival rate of 88.90% and 84.79% in the tunnel and no-tunnel groups, respectively. Although the survival curve seemed superior in the tunnel group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.3799).

Figure 3 Comparison of catheter survival. A: Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted for overall catheter survival; B: Functional catheter survival rates.

Table 2 Events leading to the cessation of peritoneal dialysis¹.

	No-tunnel (n = 115), n (%)	Tunnel (n = 107), n (%)	P value
Low efficiency	4 (3.48)	2 (1.87)	0.6845
Peritonitis	11 (9.57)	6 (5.61)	0.3186
Abdominal wall leak	1 (0.87)	(0.93)	> 0.9999
Abdominal surgery	1 (0.87)	0 (0.00)	> 0.9999
Inguinal hernia	0 (0.00)	2 (1.87)	0.2312
Personal choice	2 (1.74)	0 (0.00)	0.4984
Transplantation	4 (3.48)	2 (2.80)	> 0.9999
Death	4 (3.48)	10 (9.35)	0.0975

¹A two-tailed Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables.

DISCUSSION

Catheter migration is a common complication following catheter implantation, with a reported incidence of 10%-30%[6,7]. This retrospective study demonstrated that PD catheter orientation was improved by creating a short musculofascial tunnel. Further, this tunnel helped maintain catheter position within the pelvis of all patients throughout a two-year follow-up period. In contrast, four patients in the no-tunnel group (3.4%) experienced catheter dysfunction due to migration.

Various current modifications for open surgery[4,5] involve performing additional incisions or sutures to extend the catheter route, reducing malfunction episodes, and prolonging catheter survival. However, our musculofascial tunnel modification required only a brief extension of surgical time and did not necessitate a significant procedure alteration. In addition, according to our experience, there is no need to make a long skin incision for the tunnel.

Laparoscopic surgery is also a practical method for rectus sheath tunneling or pre-peritoneal tunneling[8] to prevent catheter migration. However, general anesthesia with a muscle relaxant is necessary for laparoscopy, increasing anesthesia-related risk and prolonging perioperative preparation. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery is associated with additional costs for anesthesia and surgical instruments.

We suggest placing the catheter approximately 1.5 cm outside the purse-string suture of the peritoneum with the inner cuff just beneath the anterior fascia. This placement allows the catheter to be well fixed away from the peritoneum, thus preventing possible peritonitis induced by a tissue reaction around the deep cuff[9]. In addition, when discontinuing the use of the catheter, it is easier to remove the inner cuff in the presence of a musculofascial tunnel because the cuff lies superior to the rectus abdominis. On the contrary, the inner cuff is buried deeply in the rectus abdominis near the peritoneum in the no-tunnel method. Thus, increasing the risk of injuring the peritoneum and intestines during removal of the cuff due to extensive dissection.

This study had several limitations. First, this was a retrospective study conducted in a single center. As patients underwent different procedures in two separate periods, bias in patient selection and care was inevitable. However, we compared the patient characteristics between the two groups, and there were no significant differences in terms of kidney disease status and factors related to surgical concerns. In addition, all operations were performed by the same surgical team (Lee CY and Chen CC). Therefore, perioperative preparation and surgical materials remained unchanged throughout the study; thus, we believe that bias was minimal although present. Second, the patients in the study had an average body mass index of 24 kg/m², which is similar to that of most Asians but lower than those of Europeans and Americans[10]. The thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue is critical for determining incision length, and deep subcutaneous adipose tissue may result in technical difficulty during open surgery. Further investigation involving patients with a high body mass index is needed in the future.

CONCLUSION

The results from this study provide evidence supporting the ISPD guideline for improving the quality of PD care. However, the addition of a short musculofascial tunnel, a simple but usually neglected step in catheter implantation, helped tilt the catheter and orient it downward toward the pelvis, which reduced catheter migration and prevented catheter dysfunction. This preemptive modification does not require specialized training, and therefore, can be readily adopted by surgical teams.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Creation of a musculofascial tunnel is usually neglected in the procedure of peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation.

Research motivation

We would like to see if the tunnel reduces catheter migration.

Research objectives

Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis implantation with or without a musculofascial tunnel were retrospectively reviewed.

Research methods

Plain film after catheter implantation were reviewed to compare the migration angle.

Research results

Patients with the musculofascial tunnel had lower migration rate.

Research conclusions

Creating of a musculofascial tunnel is an important step for reducing catheter migration.

Research perspectives

Long term follow up is need for the function survival benefit.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the peritoneal dialysis team for providing clinical support with the surgical procedures. In addition, we thank Mr. Shi-Yi Yang for his assistance with the statistics used in this report.