Purpose: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is one of renal replacement therapy in Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) patients. The function of CAPD catheter is important factor for maintaining the CAPD. Obstruction or displacement of the catheter is the most common causes of CAPD malfunction. We analyzed the functional outcome of CAPD catheter managed by laparoscopic surgery to determine the role of laparoscopy in the management of CAPD catheter malfunction. Methods: From January 2004 to May 2005, we analyzed the medical records of patients with malfunctioning CAPD catheter, who underwent laparoscopic omentectomy with repositioning. Results: Total 10 patients with malfunctioning CAPD catheter were managed by laparoscopic surgery. Omental wrapping, the most common cause of catheter malfunction wasfound in 6 patients, omental wrapping with malposition were in 2 cases, only malposition was in 1 case, and hematoma caused by ovarian cyst rupture was found in 1 case. All except 2 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery under intravenous. anesthesia. Only 1 patient who had leakage after laparoscopic surgery and developed peritonitis need conversion to hemodialysis, nine (90%) of ten catheter malfunction were successfully corrected. Conclusion: We believe that laparoscopic surgery is one of the useful treatment options in the management of malfunctioning CAPD catheter.

Keywords: Laparoscopy, Catheters, Peritoneal dialysis