Peritoneal Dialysis

ritoneal Dialysis (PD)

-is a treatment for patients with severe chronic kidney failure. The process uses the patient's peritoneum in the abdomen as a membrane across which fluids and dissolved substances (electrolytes, urea, glucose, albumin and other small molecules) are exchanged from the blood. Fluid is introduced through a permanent tube in the abdomen and flushed out either every night while the patient sleeps (automatic peritoneal dialysis) or via regular exchanges throughout the day (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). PD is used as an alternative to hemodialysis though it is far less common.

 Disadvantage

-It has comparable risks and expenses, with the primary advantage being the ability to undertake treatment without visiting a medical facility. The primary complication with PD is a risk of infection due to the presence of a permanent tube in the abdomen.

Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdominal cavity as the dialysis filter to rid the body of waste and to balance electrolyte levels. A catheter is placed in the abdominal cavity through the abdominal wall by a surgeon and is expected to remain there for the long-term. The dialysis solution is then dripped in through the catheter and left in the abdominal cavity for a few hours and then is drained out. In that time, waste products leech from the blood normally flowing through the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).

There are 2 major types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

The patient does not attach to a machine and exchange happens manually with gravity. The dialysis happens continuously for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week with dwell time lasting 3 to 5 hours. There are about 4 exchanges daily with each exchange taking about 30 mins.

Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD)

The patient is attached to a machine called “cycler” which accomplish the exchange automatically based on pre-programmed settings. The patient is attached to the machine during the night when they sleep and this one-time exchange lasts for 8 to 10 hours.