The Management of End-stage Kidney Disease with Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Thirteen patients with advanced renal failure have been treated by chronic intermittent peritoneal dialysis utilizing the Barry pericannula. Eight patients were treated in one renal unit and 5 in community hospitals. The results were more favorable in those patients maintained in the renal unit. The actual nursing time required for each patient was 5 hours/week. The yearly cost per patient was $9,000. Complications were peritonitis, hypertension, circulatory congestion and metastatic calcification. The most troublesome complication was peritonitis and methods for its early recognition and prevention are discussed. In its present stage of development, chronic peritoneal dialysis is not as effective as intermittent prolonged hemodlalysis as done by the Scribner method. However, it deserves further investigation in view of its simplicity. Since serious complications were less common during the first 6 months, the method is well suited for maintaining patients prior to homotrans-plantation.