Peritoneal dialysis is one dialysis method and may be preferable for the first few years for a person starting on dialysis, rather than haemodialysis.
The RMH Kidney Care service offers both a manual exchange technique and a machine exchange technique. We discuss which method will be best for you, based on your needs.
We offer:
- Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion by a variety of methods. You should discuss this with your own doctor.
- Selection of peritoneal dialysis fluid from two companies. Your doctor will guide you as to which solutions might suit you best.
- Training with home dialysis nurses about the techniques. We conduct this training at the RMH Parkville, at your home or sometimes at one of the metropolitan or regional sites.
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
With this home treatment you perform between one and five exchanges of fluid a day.
This is a very simple treatment and easy to understand.
Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)
Most of your peritoneal dialysis is performed at night with a machine that sits by your bed with this technique.
We offer peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic, exit site revision surgery and Moncrief-Popovich method catheter implantation.
If you want to know more about these procedures, talk to your GP or your peritoneal dialysis team.
Introduction to peritoneal dialysis (PD)