Peritoneal Dialysis Process

Peritoneal dialysis is a kidney failure treatment that filters blood in the body using the lining of the abdomen. The peritoneum is the name for this lining. A catheter, which is similar to a soft tube, is inserted into the abdomen by the surgeon a few weeks before peritoneal dialysis begins. Kidneys’ major role is to eliminate metabolic wastes from the human body; if this process is disrupted, the kidney may fail. Dialysis is a procedure that aids in the artificial elimination of waste from body as well as the filtering of blood in the abdomen.

Peritoneal Dialysis

When your kidneys can no longer handle the task, peritoneal dialysis is used to eliminate waste products from the blood. With the help of a fluid (dialysate) which flows into and out of the peritoneal cavity, blood vessels in the abdominal lining (peritoneum) filled in for the kidneys during peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis, a more regularly utilised blood-filtering method, is not the same as peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis allows you to treat yourself at home, at work, or while abroad. When compared to hemodialysis, you may be able to utilise fewer drugs and eat a less restricted diet.

Peritoneal dialysis, or peritoneal dialysis, is a procedure that includes minor surgery to implant a catheter into the abdomen. This procedure takes a few hours to complete and is done 3 – 5 times a day.

The implanted catheter aids in the dialysis procedure by filtering the blood by the peritoneum, an abdominal membrane. Dialysate is an unique fluid that absorbs all of the wastes from the blood and then flushes them out if the patient is sleeping at night. As a substitute to hemodialysis, this procedure is utilised.

Complications Of Peritoneal Dialysis

  • Due to the presence of a permanent tube, the main complication of this procedure is infection. The belly is cleaned thoroughly before surgery, and a catheter is surgically implanted with one end in the abdomen and the other poking out from the skin.

  • Before every infusion and flow in and out the abdomen, the catheter must be thoroughly cleansed. For ten to fifteen minutes, 2 – 3 litres of dialysis fluid are delivered to the abdomen.

  • The total volume of the fluid is referred to as dwell, while the fluid itself is termed as dialysate. The entire fluid volume might be roughly three litres, with some medication given shortly before the infusion. The residence would then be in the belly, where waste products would diffuse through the blood arteries with the peritoneum. 

  • The fluid is replaced by a new one after 4 to 6 hours, depending on the level of treatment. While a patient is sleeping, this occurs. In the abdomen, fluid exchange occurs at least 4 to 5 times every day. To achieve hyperosmolarity, the fluid comprises lactate, sodium chloride, and a particular quantity of glucose.

  • In the abdomen, fluid exchange occurs at least 4 to 5 times every day. To achieve hyperosmolarity, the fluid comprises lactate, sodium chloride, and a particular quantity of glucose.

Peritoneal Dialysis Process

Fill Time 

The Fill time is the moment if the peritoneal fluid is poured into the peritoneal cavity. The process of filling the fluid takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes.

Dwell Time 

Dwell time is defined as the time when peritoneal dialysis fluid left the peritoneal cavity. A 35- to 40-minute dwell duration is typical. When there isn’t any equipment to pump the fluid into the body, combining the fill time and dwell time is simple. Combining these two processes takes about 45 to 50 minutes on average.

Drain Time 

Drain time occurs if peritoneal dialysis fluid is withdrawn from the peritoneal cavity. It usually takes around 10 minutes. You can remove additional liquids by increasing the drain time. The fill time, dwell time, and drain time are all included in the peritoneal dialysis cycle. The exchange time is also regarded as the drain time.

Peritoneal Dialysis Access Procedure

A surgeon and general anaesthesia have traditionally been used to insert a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter in a patient having end – stage renal disease (ESRD). This strategy frequently causes delays in initiating PD, adds to the cost of using an operating room and anaesthesia services, and raises the risk of death associated with general anaesthesia. Recent research has shown that interventional nephrologists may execute PD access operations safely and successfully. In this case, operating room facilities, staff, and anaesthesia services are not necessary, and catheter placement can be done in a procedure room under local anaesthetic, saving money and avoiding the risk of death associated with general anaesthesia.

The catheter installation can be completed quickly by a nephrologist, and dialysis therapy can be started immediately. The effectiveness of PD is dependent on consistent and long – term access to a peritoneal cavity once it has commenced. PD, despite its many benefits, is still a relatively underutilised method of renal replacement therapy. To combat PD underutilization, at least two distinct facilities have shown that catheter insertion by nephrologists has a favourable impact on the growth of PD population.

Conclusion

A significant factor of peritoneal dialysis (PD) use is the procedure of modality selection and how it works. This extremely complicated procedure has not been thoroughly investigated. We break this down into six steps and show how issues at each step can considerably lower the number of patients with end-stage renal disease who start PD. It is critical for any programme wishing to expand its usage of PD to understand the phases and places where issues may arise.