PD cathether not flushing

[Amv]

My father had PD catheter surgery.  When he went to the dialysis clinic to have it flushed, it did not work. He had a cathetergram and was told by radiologist that it worked. Again the PD catheter did not flush. Has anyone has  PD catheter which did not work and had to do another PD surgery? Did you use the same surgeon? Is the surgeon "off the case" after PD or AV fistula surgery even if there is failure?  This has been frustrating process for 1 month. We are not sure what to do. He doesn't want to have the PD surgery again and it not work. We were hoping that he could do PD while his AV fistula matures. 



EDITED: Thread moved to proper section: "Home Dialysis" - Rerun, Admin.

[cassandra]

I'm sorry about the probs your dad is having with his catheter. In the UK you would very most likely have the same surgeon again.
I don't have personal experience with this particular problem, but pretty sure others have I'm afraid.

I wish you, and your dad all the best.

Love, Cas

[David Pascoe]

Installing a PD catheter is as much an art as science and what your dad experienced is not uncommon. He just has to work with it until it does function.

[kickingandscreaming]

It might not be the position of the catheter that's the issue, but rather the presence of too much fibrin.  I had my catheter repositioned, and it was still slow to fill and drain  during flushes until the nurse started using heparin to dissolve the fibrin.

[Charlie B53]

Sometimes squeezing the manual bag of dialysate like a 'firm' bear hug, will raise the line pressure enough to clear the 'clog'.  Others may require much more pressure like when the Nurse uses a large syringe, which can create a lot of pressure.

As noted by kickingandscreaming, the addition of heparin is very helpful in dissolving fiberin clots.

Take Care,

Charlie B53
Mod