Peritoneal dialyisis

In 2008, an estimated 1.77 million patients worldwide received dialysis. Of these patients, 1.58 million were treated with hemodialysis and approximately 190,000 received peritoneal dialyisis. In a global comparison of treatment methods for renal failure, therefore, hemodialysis clearly dominates. In this Review, we compare the epidemiology of peritoneal dialysis with that of hemodialysis and describe some of the major differences in the global utilization of the two dialysis modalities. These differences can largely be explained by a number of nonmedical, mainly economic factors, but also by educational and psychological factors...

Peritoneal dialysis is a renal replacement therapy indicated in patients with an unstable hemodynamic status. It has been used, by ultrafiltration, preferably in those patients with congestive heart failure refractory to conventional medical therapy. We present the experience of our center with five patients who were affected by severe congestive heart failure [Class IV on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) scale] and diverse stages of chronic renal failure, who received this therapy. Icodextrin has been used as an osmotic agent to induce ultrafiltration...

Bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplantation is indicated in some patients with end-stage renal disease. The indications for bilateral nephrectomy include persistent heavy proteinuria, refractory hypertension, and urinary tract infections. We report an eight-month-old baby with male pseudohermaphroditism and renal failure secondary to diffuse mesangial sclerosis. While awaiting renal transplantation, dialysis became necessary and the child presented standard drug therapy-resistant hypertension. A bilateral nephrectomy was performed simultaneously to peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation by using laparoscopy...