Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of your abdomen (called the peritoneum) to filter waste, excess fluids, and toxins from your blood. This process is an alternative to hemodialysis and can often be done at home. Here’s how it works:
How Peritoneal Dialysis Works:
- Dialysis Solution: A sterile fluid called dialysate is introduced into your abdominal cavity through a soft tube (catheter) surgically placed in your abdomen.
- Exchange Process: The dialysate stays in your abdomen for several hours, allowing waste, toxins, and excess fluid to move from your blood vessels in the peritoneum into the dialysate.
- Drain and Refill: After the exchange period, the used dialysate is drained and replaced with fresh dialysate.