Manual Acute PD with Rigid Catheters: A Relook

Abstract

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) has been an underutilized modality in the treatment of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Concerns regarding clearance, fluid removal, infection, complications of therapy, and the hypercatabolic state of AKI has led to PD falling into disrepute. Recent studies have challenged this notion of ineffectiveness. The lower cost, and simplicity of the procedure makes it a particularly attractive option for the developing world which may lack even basic HD facilities, and patients continue to die for want of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). We present a review of the available literature about PD in the AKI setting with special reference to the developing world, including the procedure, costs, and effectiveness of the treatment. We also describe the procedure in detail to help ‘hand hold’ physicians interested in performing this lifesaving procedure.