Peritoneal dialysis in emergency and critical care medicine.

Peritoneal dialysis is a technique that has been used to treat acute renal failure in humans since 1923. Peritoneal dialysis is used in people to manage acute and chronic renal failure, as well as to remove dialyzable toxins (ethylene glycol, barbiturates, and ethanol), reduce severe metabolic disturbances, and for the treatment of peritonitis, pancreatitis, uroabdomen, hypothermia, and fluid overload. In veterinary medicine, acute renal failure is the prevailing indication for dialysis. This report will discuss the pathophysiology of peritoneal dialysis, indications, and contraindications. Catheter selection and placement will be reviewed. Types of dialysate solution will be discussed and the protocol established for instituting peritoneal dialysis. The report will conclude with a discussion of potential complications and methods to minimize them.