Abstract: Objective Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective treatment for end stage renal disease. A well-functioning catheter is the key to successful PD. We conducted a meta analysis of the literature to compare the clinical outcome of the patients using coiled versus straight end PD catheters. Methods Comprehensive search relevant to the outcome of coiled or straight end PD catheter was carried out in PubMed, Embase, Springer, CNKI, VP, CBM and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library) published up to September 2013. Reference lists were searched manually. The methodology was in accordance with the Cochrane handbook for interventional systematic reviews, and the reporting of meta analysis was written based on the PRISMA statement. The quality of the studies was assessed, and data were extracted. The results were summarized as odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes. We also carried out a subgroups analysis based on ethnicity. Results In this meta-analysis, 11 randomized controlled trials with 843 patients were identified. In the 10 clinical observation parameters, only catheter tip migration had significant difference between coiled versus straight end PD catheters (based on 9 trials and 685 patients: OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.46-3.71; P=0.0004). Subgroup analysis revealed that coiled end catheters were associated with the increased risk of catheter tip migration in Asians (based on 5 trials and 422 patients: OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.59-5.51; P= 0.0006), but not in Europeans. There were no significant differences in mechanical related complications, infection related complications, and one and two years of technical catheter survival rate between the two groups and different races. Conclusions Displacement
of coiled end PD catheters was significantly higher than that of straight end catheters in Asians, but not in Europeans. Hence, straight end catheters should be more suitable for Asians.

Key words: peritoneal dialysis, peritoneal dialysis catheter, complication, meta-analysis