Objective: To compare laparoscopic and conventional peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion with respect to post operative discomfort, complication rates, and catheter survival.
Design: Randomized prospective study.
Setting: Tertiary referral renal unit.
Patients: Fifty patients commencing peritoneal dialysis.
Intervention: Catheters were implanted laparoscopically or by a conventional surgical technique.
Main outcome measures: The duration of surgery, hospital stay, pain scores, and analgesic requirements were recorded. Complications (early/late) and catheter survival were compared.
Results: The conventional procedure was faster than the laparoscopic (14.3 vs 21.9 minutes, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in any other parameter assessed.
Conclusions: The data suggest that the insertion techniques are equivalent, and that laparoscopic insertion does not reduce early complication rates.