This leaflet explains what to look out for and how to look after your newly inserted peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter.

What is a PD catheter?

A PD catheter is a special tube that is inserted into your abdominal cavity (the space within your tummy). One end of the tube rests inside the abdomen and the other end comes out through the skin over your tummy. This tube is used to drain a type of fluid called dialysate in and out of your abdomen for the purpose of dialysis.

After your PD catheter insertion

Post-operative care for your catheter

  • Monitor the dressing for signs of bleeding. A small amount of blood on the dressing is not unusual. If you notice this, do not remove the dressing as this may increase your risk of infection. Please apply another dressing on top. Please call the PD unit to seek advice. If there is a lot of bleeding, please attend A&E at the Royal Free Hospital for review.
  • Do not get the dressing wet. This may cause an infection at the exit site (the point where the PD catheter exits your body).
  • Avoid showering and bathing until you have received training on how to change your dressing. When the area has healed, you will be trained on how to change the dressing and shower safely by your PD nurse.
  • Do not get the dressing wet. this may cause an infection at the exit site (the point where the PD catheter exits your body).
  • Avoid heavy lifting for six weeks. This can put a strain on the abdominal wall.
  • You will be ready to drive when you are pain-free and can safely perform an emergency stop whilst driving. If you are unsure, speak to your PD team or your GP.
  • You may experience some pain post operatively. Please take pain killers as prescribed by your doctor. Please contact the PD unit on 02037582040 if you require further advice.

Follow-up appointments

Once your PD catheter has been inserted and you have been discharged from the day ward, you will be contacted by a member of the team and offered a PD nurse appointment. You will be seen in the PD clinic approximately one week after catheter insertion. We will arrange follow-up appointments once a week, for four to six weeks during the wound healing phase.

Before your first follow-up appointment

Please take regular laxatives in preparation for your first PD appointment. This will help with the drainage of your PD catheter. If you are constipated, your PD catheter will not work.

What to expect at your PD follow-up appointments

During your appointments, the PD nurse will take a kidney history, blood, and urine test. They will also change your PD catheter dressings and assess your wound. To ensure the catheter tube is working correctly, your PD nurse will flush your catheter. This is where warmed dialysate fluid will be drained into your abdomen to check the patency of the catheter.