Peritoneal Dialysis

What is Dialysis?

The kidney performs its functions by removing wastes, excess fluid from our body and also controls the blood pressure.

Dialysis is an artificial process of cleaning the blood by removing toxins, excess amount of water, and other solutes when the person’s kidneys could no longer perform the excretion process.

Also Refer: Dialysis Treatment

Types of Dialysis

There are two different types of dialysis-

1. Hemodialysis.
2. Peritoneal dialysis.

Table of Contents

• What is Peritoneal Dialysis?
• Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis
• Frequently Asked Questions

Peritoneal dialysis is a process that is done for patients suffering from kidney disease.

Principle of Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is the technique in which the peritoneal membrane is used as a semipermeable membrane. Through the peritoneal membrane, the  fluid and dissolved substances are exchanged with the blood. 

Types of Peritoneal Dialysis

There are two types of Peritoneal Dialysis-

• Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

This process involves minor surgery to implant peritoneal dialysis – a catheter into the abdomen. This process takes a few hours and is repeated for three to five times per day.

In this process of dialysis, the implanted catheter helps in filtering the blood through the abdominal membrane called the peritoneum. A special fluid called dialysate absorbs all the wastes from the blood and is then flushed out when the patient is sleeping during night time. This method is used as an alternative to hemodialysis.

The main complication of this process comes from infection because of the presence of a permanent tube. Before surgery, the abdomen is cleaned properly and a catheter is inserted surgically by keeping its one end in the abdomen and other being sticking out from the skin.

The catheter must be cleaned properly before each infusion and flow in and out of the abdomen. Approximately two to three litres of dialysis fluid is supplied to the abdomen for around ten to fifteen minutes. The whole fluid volume is known as dwell whereas the fluid itself is referred to as dialysate. The total fluid volume would be around three litres and some medication might be added to the fluid right before the infusion. The dwell then would lie in the abdomen where waste products diffuse with the peritoneum through the blood vessels. After around four to six hours depending upon the degree of treatment, the fluid is replaced with a fresh one. This event happens while the patient is sleeping. The exchange of fluid happens at least four to five times a day in the abdomen. The fluid contains lactate, sodium chloride along with a certain percentage of glucose to ensure hyperosmolarity.

The exchange of fluid happens at least four to five times a day in the abdomen. The fluid contains lactate, sodium chloride along with a certain percentage of glucose to ensure hyperosmolarity.

The intensity of dialysis would purely depend upon the volume of dwell along with regular exchange and fluid concentration. The APD follows the cycles between 3 and 10 dwells every night while CADP includes four dwells each day for two to three litres per dwell, both staying in the abdomen for some four to eight hours.

Also Check: Disorders Of The Excretory System

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more in detail about the Dialysis, types of Dialysis and risk associated with Dialysis.

What is the principle of peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis involves the use of peritoneal membrane as a semi-permeable membrane. The fluid and dissolved substances are exchanged with the blood through this peritoneal membrane.

What are the two types of peritoneal dialysis?

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis are – APD (Automated Peritoneal Dialysis) and CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis is a simple, convenient and less­expensive technique, compared to hemodialysis. However, it is less efficient in removing some of the toxic substances and it may lead to complications by infections.