Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (pər-ə-ˈtō-nē-əl dī-ˈal-ə-səs) is a treatment that uses the lining of your abdomen, or peritoneum, and a cleaning solution called dialysate, to clean your blood.

Etymology

The term "peritoneal" is derived from the Greek word "peritonaion" which means "to stretch over" and "dialysis" comes from the Greek word "dialusis" meaning "dissolution".

Procedure

In peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is surgically placed in the abdomen. The dialysate is then filled into the abdominal cavity through the catheter, where it absorbs waste products from the blood vessels in the peritoneum. After a certain period of time, the dialysate is drained out of the abdomen, taking the waste products with it. This process is repeated several times a day.

Types of Peritoneal Dialysis

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD): This is the most common type of peritoneal dialysis. It is done manually and does not require a machine.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD): This type of peritoneal dialysis uses a machine called a cycler to fill and drain the abdomen, usually while the patient sleeps.

Related Terms

Hemodialysis: Another type of dialysis that uses a machine to filter waste products from the blood.
Kidney failure: A condition that peritoneal dialysis can treat, where the kidneys are no longer able to adequately filter waste products from the blood.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): The final stage of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys are functioning at less than 10% of their normal capacity.