Q.What is  peritoneal dialysis ?

A. Peritoneal dialysis is a way to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys can’t adequately do the job any longer. This procedure filters the blood in a different way than does the more common blood-filtering procedure called hemodialysis.

During peritoneal dialysis, a cleansing fluid flows through a tube(catheter) into the part of your abdomen. The lining of you abdomen (peritoneum) acts as a filter and removes waste products from your blood. After a set period of time, the fluid with the filtered waste products flows out of your abdomen and is discarded.

Q.How is peritoneal dialysis done ?

A. You’ll need an operation to insert the catheter that carries the dialysate  in and out of your abdomen. The insertion might be done under local or general anesthesia. The tube is inserted near your belly button.

During peritoneal dialysis :

1. The dialysate flows into your abdomen and stayes there for a prescribed period of time(dwell time)- usually four to six hours.

2. Dextrose in the dialysate helps filter waste , chemicals and extra fluid in your blood from tiny blood vessels in the lining of your abdominal cavity.

3. When the dwell time is over, the solution- along with waste products drawn from your blood- drains into a sterile collection bag.

The process of filling and then draining your abdomen is called an exchange. Different methods of peritoneal dialysis have different schedules of exchange. The two main schedules are :

1. Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

2. Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)

Q.When is peritoneal dialysis a better option for you?

A. 1. Can’t tolerate the rapid changes of fluid balance associated with hemodialysis.

    2. Want to minimize the disruption of your daily activities, gives greater lifestyle flexibility and independence.

    3. Preserves residual renal function.

Q. What are the complications of peritoneal dialysis?

A. 1. Infections.

2. Weight Gain.

3. Hernia.