Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy using the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum which acts as a dialysis membrane for the treatment of renal insufficiency.

• In PD, a sterile solution called dialysis fluid (dialysate) is introduced into the patient’s peritoneal cavity through a catheter. 
• The dialysate contains a balance of electrolytes, buffers, and osmotically active molecules, mainly glucose that help to filter waste products from the blood. 
• Over time, the waste products from the blood diffuse into the dialysate and are removed from the body when the dialysate is drained out.
• The final removal of ultrafiltrate and solute occurs at the time by draining the dialysate to the outside.
• The exchanges can perform during the daytime, or at night using a machine that pumps the fluid in and out.
• Depending on the individual requirements and preferences of the patient, PD can be performed at home or in a hospital, either continuously or intermittently. 
• There are two kinds of PD: CAPD (manually) and APD (automatically).