Catheter function was retrospectively analysed after surgical placement in 21 children requiring peritoneal dialysis for acute renal failure due to haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Substantial benefits were shown to have accrued from partial omentectomy which resulted in reliable access and trouble-free drainage in the 11 patients in whom it was carried out. Conversely 4 of 10 patients in whom partial omentectomy was not done experienced total catheter blockage whilst the other 6 experienced intermittent poor drainage. Partial omentectomy should be considered as integral to the surgical technique of peritoneal catheter placement for both short-term and long-term dialysis in children.