Which side is best for PD catheter?

[Nan]

Before I go to have my catheter put in.....I wanted to ask you "pro's" ....is one side better than the other?  Do you wish you would have had it put in the other side?! I love knowing what I am in for.....because of your answers!  Thanks.

[kitkatz]

They say the right side is better, closer to the heart and not as many things to run into. I have had both left and right and prefer it on the right, because they ran into the lung going in on the left side. I hated having the catheters in under the clavicle. 

[goofynina]

If i am not mistaken, i believe they mostly always put it on the left.  I dont think they gave me an option, they just knocked me out and stuck it in

[kitkatz]

They never knocked me out for the catheters in the chest.  Just a little local and in it goes. Let me tell you hurts like a mutha ffer!  Let them give you something before they start with it.

[anja]

Nan, they wanted to put my PD cath. in the Right side , but I had hernia surgery after gall-bladder removal and there was mesh there.  It has worked out well for me on the left, for I normally sleep on my right side.  ( that is really of  no consequence though, once you learn to bring the tube up the middle  for nighttime cycler use.  I secure mine with biking shorts.) 

[kitkatz]

I am an idiot.  I was talking chest catheters and you asked about PD catheters. *Bangs hand onto forehead!* Dummy.  Read the damned post! What a dummy I am! Sorry.

[Sluff]

I am an idiot.  I was talking chest catheters and you asked about PD catheters. *Bangs hand onto forehead!* Dummy.  Read the damned post! What a dummy I am! Sorry.

Geez KitKatz take it easy.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Nan
I had it put in on the left hand side because my favoured sleeping side is my right. If you bring up the tube up your middle as Anja suggests then I guess you can sleep on either side. I've never tried it because I would imagine you'd have to change your dressing back to normal position each morning and I don't have time to do that in the morning 'cause I'd never get to work on time. Best of luck Nan for 1st Feb. You'll be fine, and do have the full anaesthetic. We'll all be thinking of you.

[Chicken Little]

I was told they usually choose depending on if you are right or left handed.  So if you are right handed they will put it in on the left, you'll be able to keep a firm hold your catheter directly in front of your body with your left hand and unscrew and attach the dialysis tubing with your dominant hand.  It works for me.   

Good luck.   
 

[goofynina]

I was told they usually choose depending on if you are right or left handed.  So if you are right handed they will put it in on the left, you'll be able to keep a firm hold your catheter directly in front of your body with your left hand and unscrew and attach the dialysis tubing with your dominant hand.  It works for me.   

Good luck.   
 

Well duh, lol, that makes all the sense in the world,  i wouldnt be able to do it so easily with my left hand, lol, thanks chicken little (for making me feel even more dumb) nah, lol, j/k   

[angela515]

Mine was put on the left side, but the reason was b/c I had a transplanted kidney on the right.