Tenckhoff vs. Presternal PD Catheter

[Lulu]

Well - My time is up and I go for my catheter on Nov 5, 2007. I have a big ol' roman jacuzzi tub and really want to be able to use it. I have done some reading on the presternal catheter and it seems to have a lower risk of infection and I can take a tub. I already read the IHD posts from August '06. Does anyone have a presternal catheter or know anything about them? Are they hard to drain out of? Do they get in the way of bra straps? Any info greatly appreciated.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Lulu
Can you explain what a presternal catheter is as I've only ever heard of a tenkoff for PD which I have?

[fluffy]

im guessing presternal would be having the catheter exit site just below the sternum, and the other one would be the lower abdomen catheter, which is what i have
i could be wrong, im just taking a shot in the dark here

[KT0930]

you're right, fluffy. I also have tenckhoff, so I don't know much about the presternal, but from what I've heard, you can't shower - that's enough to keep me from considering it.

[fluffy]

not being able to shower fills me with terror, im glad i got the other one then

[Lulu]

Hi - Yes, the presternal is the one that goes in the chest and the tenckhoff is the one that comes out of the belly. I decided to go with the tenckhoff. Although, the presternal has a lot fewer incidence of exit sight infection, but it is harder to drain.