Peritoneal dialysis options, technique, complications

1. Big picture

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based renal replacement therapy in which the patient’s peritoneal membrane acts as the dialysis membrane. Dialysis fluid is infused into the abdominal cavity, uremic toxins and electrolytes diffuse from blood into dialysate, excess water is removed by osmotic gradient, and then the fluid is drained.

For the exam, think of PD in 4 blocks:

1. Access → Tenckhoff peritoneal catheter
2. Technique → fill → dwell → drain
3. Options → CAPD or APD
4. Complications → peritonitis, catheter infection, hernia/leak, ultrafiltration failure

PD is especially important because it gives independence and gentle continuous dialysis, but the major exam complication is PD-associated peritonitis.

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