Presternal Catheter

[mallory]

I'm very close to getting dialysis, and I've chosen CCPD.  As a result, of course, I'll be getting a catheter.  I've read a lot about presternal catheters, but that was never mentioned to me as an option (I live in Utah, do they do presternal catheters here?) and I'm just wondering, is a presternal catheter better?  Is it just different Any advice would be appreciated! Mallory

[angieskidney]

What is a Presternal Catheter??

[hephziba]

Hi Mallory, I looked into a presternal catheter for capd, that is the one that enters through the chest as apposed to the tummy. My consultant here in england said "They haven't done them here yet and wasn't willing to try yet"

four months on I am extremely Glad I didn't get one. because with the tenkoff in my stomach, Its pretty much invisible to us during the day as we are now on the cycler machine. and that leaves my chest free. I feel more normal as a result.

I had permacaths in my chest when I was on Haemo and I never felt normal...and my wife couldn't stand seeing the thing.

my initial reason for wanting a presternal were because I could take a bath, But I have found I can still have baths if I cover my exit site with a tegaderm(water proof dressing).

hope this helps.

below is a presternal catheter for those who haven't seen it. instead of being inserted through the tummy, it goes in through the chest and down into the peritoneum

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=presternal%20catheter&sa=N&tab=wi

[Panda_9]

OMG Ive never even seen a presternal catheter before    I wonder what the differences are if any. As much as I dont like any tubes hanging out of me, I think in the chest is way more annoying, especially if you are female. My last permacath was right on my bra line and it was sooooo annoying, couldnt wait to get it out.

[mallory]

Okay, this is all good to know.  I had heard that the chest tube (presternal) was a lot better than the tummy tube.  But it sounds like maybe it's really not such an advantage.  It isn't something that they are very familiar with here in Utah, so I would have had to check around to find someone who could do it.  I think I'll just go with the regular, tummy peritoneal catheter.

[angieskidney]

wow Heph Thx for that link! I never even knew about that! Wow I just thought he had misspelled it   

Wow! The 2-year catheter survival rate is BETTER with this and less incidences of infection!! But wouldn't the drains be more difficult?

[Panda_9]

You would think if its entering from the chest it would still have to be long enough to reach the bottom of the peritoneal cavity. It might be more uncomfortable perhaps? It seems very weird to me.

[Rerun]

I guess we would have to talk to someone who had actually had it done.  But, it looks BAD to me.