Upward-directed exit-site of the swan-neck catheter and “Easy-to-disinfect the backside area of exit-site” may prevent PD complications

Background Upward-directed exit-site has been believed to be the worst for frequent ESI by an old retrospective study using straight catheters.

No comparison study of 3 exit-site directions using swan-neck catheter has been performed regarding which direction is the best for our endpoints, Easy-to-see the backside area of exit-site: ESBE, Easy-to-disinfect the backside area of exit-site: EDBE, reduction of both exit-site infection (ESI), symptomatic catheter dislocation and peritonitis.

Methods We assessed the relationship of exit-site direction with our endpoints in a quantitative cross-sectional, multicentered questionnaire survey.

Patients who received either non-surgical catheter implantation or exit-site surgery were excluded.

Results The numbers (percentage) of exit-site directions in included 291 patients were upward 79 (26.0), lateralward 108 (37.5) and downward 105 (36.5).

Cochran-Armitage analysis showed a significant step-ladder increase in the prevalence of ESI as the direction changed from upward to lateralward to downward (0.15 ± 0.41, 0.25 ± 0.54, 0.38 ± 0.69 episodes/patient-year, p  = 0.03).

Multivariable regression analysis revealed the upward exit-site independently associates with both higher frequency of ESBE (OR 5.55, 95% CI 2.23–16.45, p  < 0.01) and reduction of prevalence of ESI (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.27–0.98, p  = 0.04).

Positive association between the prevalence of symptomatic catheter dislocation and ESI (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.27–7.82, p  = 0.01), and inverse association between EDBE and either prevalence of symptomatic catheter dislocation (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11–0.72) or peritonitis (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23–0.99) observed.

Conclusion Upward-directed swan-neck catheter exit-site may be the best for both ESBE and prevention of ESI.

EDBE may reduce catheter dislocation and peritonitis.

Symptomatic catheter dislocation may predict ESI.