Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Catheter Surgery

This leaflet explains the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion procedure for your abdomen (tummy). It will help you to understand the procedure and the care that you will receive.

If you would like additional information about the PD catheter surgery, please speak to one of the doctors or nurses. They will be more than happy to help.

Before your operation

Now that you have been referred for a PD catheter, you will be contacted by the renal specialist nursing team:

• A home visit may be arranged with the nurse if this has not already happened.
• You will receive a clinic appointment to see the surgeon who will perform your operation.

Clinic appointment

This appointment is to assess you for surgery:

• A questionnaire will be sent with this appointment. Please complete and bring this with you
• Routine swabs will be taken and you will be given a soap solution to wash with for the five days prior to your operation
• A prescription for laxatives will be given to you to commence a week before surgery
• The surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery with you before you consent to the operation
• A date for the surgery will be given to you so please bring your diary.

Immediately after your operation

The operation is usually carried out as a day case but you should be prepared in case you need to stay overnight.

Before being discharged from hospital you will be advised to leave the catheter exit site dressing untouched until the renal specialist nurse sees you. You will be contacted by the nurse after your operation to make the appointment for the following week.

Until advised by your nurse:

• Do not remove the dressing
• Do not bath or shower

For the next two weeks after the operation:

• Do not drive until you are able to do an emergency stop – likely to be two weeks
• Do not lift any heavy objects
• Please take the laxatives prescribed: It is important at this stage to avoid constipation as this may have an effect on how well you catheter works when you start dialysis. You should be taking the laxatives prescribed on a regular basis. If you have not been prescribed laxatives, please inform the renal nurse who can arrange a prescription for you.

One week after your operation

You will be seen by a member of the renal specialist nursing team who will:

Check your catheter exit site and change the dressing

• Check your blood pressure
• Check your weight
• Take blood tests (if necessary)

You will then be advised to leave the dressing undisturbed for one more week.

Two weeks after your operation

You will be seen by a member of the renal specialist nursing team who will:

• Review your catheter exit site and change the dressing
• Advise you if your catheter exit site has healed well enough to start showering
• Show you how to care for you catheter exit site and how to change the dressing
• Flush your catheter

Please continue with any dietary advice from your renal dietician. This will be reviewed once you begin dialysis and you will be advised of any necessary changes. Renal dieticians can be contacted on 01305 255377.

Contact numbers

If you have any concerns about your catheter exit site or wound, please do not hesitate to contact the renal specialist nurses:

Dorset County Hospital: 01305 255349 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm).

Poole Satellite Unit: 01202 307433 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm).

Out of hours please ring the Prince of Wales Ward on 01305 255139.

About this leaflet

Author: Angela Ridge
Written: July 2017
Approved: August 2017
Review date: August 2020
Edition: 1

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk