WHAT IS PERITONEAL DIALYSIS?

 Peritoneal dialysis (PD) uses a special solution (dialysate) and your own peritoneal membrane – the lining of your abdomen – as a filter to purify your blood and remove excess fluid. This method is the same as that used by the kidneys which continuously remove fluid from your body.

HOW DOES PERITONEAL DIALYSIS WORK?

A PD catheter is placed in the abdomen during surgery and is used to access the peritoneal membrane and allow dialysis to be performed.

A special solution (dialysate, also called dialysis solution) is placed in the abdomen through the PD catheter and is in contact with the peritoneal membrane. The waste products and body fluids present in the blood then pass through the peritoneal membrane (the filter) and enter the solution.

Waste and excess water present in the blood are absorbed into the solution by diffusion and osmosis. The used dialysis solution is then drained through the PD catheter and collected in a bag provided for this purpose. This process is then repeated with a fresh dialysis solution.

The small waste particles float out of the blood, passing through tiny orifices in the peritoneum, and then into the dialysis solution. Waste particles float from the blood side, where they are more numerous, to the solution side, where they are fewer.

What is the use of peritoneal dialysis?

The dialysis solutions used help the body to eliminate excess fluid, contribute to nutrition, replace part of the lost proteins and balance the acidity level of the blood. The dialysis prescription (the number of exchanges and the dialysis solution) is determined by your doctor.

The benefits of peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is performed at home, giving you greater flexibility in organizing your daily activities and schedule. You can even perform PD at work, in an RV, or at a hotel. This could give you more time for your favourite activities such as travel, school, work, hobbies, sports, visiting friends and family life. However, you must perform peritoneal dialysis yourself, with the help of a family member or caregiver. Your health care team will train you and/or a family member in the steps of dialysis until you are comfortable performing them at home.