Prolonged Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients Awaiting Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Twenty-seven patients with irreversible renal failure and awaiting renal transplantation were maintained by peritoneal dialysis for periods of between two and seven months. Six- teen (59%) were well and active during the entire dialysis period. Five did well initially but deteriorated because of complications, which proved fatal in two patients. Six patients were never well while on peritoneal dialysis, but all were subsequently transplanted. Control of blood urea and electrolytes was achieved in all patients, and control of hypertension was facilitated in 21 of the 26 hypertensive patients without restriction of salt or water. A high-protein diet was given and the fall in serum proteins during the dialysis period was only slight. During the study the average rate of peritoneal infection was reduced from once in every 32 to once in every 77 days of dialysis. Measures were taken to minimize peritoneal infection. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.