Introduction
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a modality of renal replacement therapy that uses the peritoneum as a membrane across which fluids and uremic solutes or toxins are exchanged. The technique of PD requires the implantation of a catheter which is the transporter of the dialysate fluid to be delivered and drained in the abdominal cavity. Today, there are many different types of PD catheters, however, most of them are designed for human patients which may bring complications or malfunction in small animals.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to confirm if the Blake drain has a good performance as possible substitute of the traditional catheters for PD.
Methods
The dog was placed in dorsal decumbency, and the abdomen was shaved and scrubbed for a surgical aseptic procedure. The Blake drain, BL-11 (Fig 1) was inserted in the abdominal cavity with its tip oriented toward the pelvis. The drain was fixed with suture in the abdominal musculature and tunneled subcutaneously with an exit of 3 cm laterally in the right from the linea alba based 2 cm above the umbilical scar. Omentectomy was not executed.
Results
The performance of PD with Blake drain presented excellent results compared to the traditional catheters implanted for peritoneal dialysis, without signs of occlusions or leakage and with an effective infusion and rapid drainage. The patient underwent to 6 cycles of 7 sessions each in 6 days without any complication.
Conclusions
The Blake drain can be a great alternative material to be substituted as a catheter in patients undergoing PD.