A patient who had been relying on a semi-permanent dialysis catheter (with cuff tunneling catheter) for a long time suffered from an emergency where the catheter was partially broken. If left untreated, it could lead to serious problems such as infection, thrombosis, or decreased dialysis efficiency. According to the routine operation, the entire catheter needs to be removed and reinserted, which not only increases the risk of central venous stenosis but also depletes the patient's limited vascular access resources through repeated punctures. The high cost of consumables is an additional burden.
Faced with this dilemma, the nephrology-endocrinology team of a hospital decided to find a better solution under the premise of ensuring safety.
After careful evaluation, the team confirmed that the catheter breakage was located outside the subcutaneous tunnel segment. The head of the department boldly proposed an innovative solution: to utilize a peritoneal dialysis catheter connector made of titanium alloy to repair the broken semi-permanent dialysis catheter. The medical team conducted an in-depth review of the literature and material descriptions to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the solution. Titanium alloy is known for its excellent biocompatibility, excellent corrosion resistance, and strong fracture resistance. After strict sterilization and precise cutting, this titanium alloy part was designed to perfectly replace the broken catheter segment.
Subsequently, the head of the department led the team to perform a delicate repair surgery for the patient, completing the precise docking of the titanium alloy interface between the two catheter materials. Post-operative tests showed that the blood flow of the repaired catheter was stable at more than 250 ml/min, which fully met the demand for dialysis, and the patient had no pain, blood seepage, or signs of infection.
Originally, when I heard that the catheter had to be reintubated, I was worried that I would have to suffer again, but I didn't realize that the doctor had solved the problem in such an ingenious way!" The patient was full of praise for this innovative initiative. The non-invasive repair using titanium alloy connectors not only avoided the pain of secondary surgery and the loss of valuable vascular resources but also saved the patient nearly 80% of the medical costs, providing practical help to families with financial difficulties.
The head of the department emphasized: "Semi-permanent catheter is the ‘lifeline’ of hemodialysis patients, and its maintenance requires multidisciplinary collaboration. This successful case proves that the cross-disciplinary application of titanium alloy components with excellent performance for innovative repair under rigorous evaluation is highly feasible and has significant advantages."
Self-care tips for semi-permanent dialysis catheters
Keep catheters dry and use a waterproof dressing in the shower.
Avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise to prevent catheter displacement.
Self-check catheter fixation daily and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you find any abnormalities.
At present, the department has organized this innovative application of repair technology based on titanium alloy components into standardized operating procedures and further put it into clinical practice. From “following the rules” to “breaking the routine”, the medical team has realized the return of the value of medical technology innovation with professional and humanistic care. This catheter, which has been given a new life by titanium alloy, is not only a technological breakthrough, but also a powerful protection for the quality of patients' lives.
