Peritoneal dialysis: past, present, and future.

Approximately, 10% to 15% of patients with end-stage renal disease are on peritoneal dialysis (PD) worldwide, with a dramatic difference in the use of PD among various countries. Recent data show a survival benefit of PD over hemodialysis which is maintained up to the 3rd year. The quality of life studied by various models is as good as, if not better than, that in patients on hemodialysis, for at least the first 2 years. In most countries that locally manufacture PD solutions, PD is significantly cheaper than hemodialysis. Several studies have found a better immediate graft function, lower rate of delayed graft function, and lower use of immunosuppressive medication after kidney transplantation in patients previously on PD compared to those on hemodialysis. There is a significantly lower rate of hepatitis C and hepatitis B infections in patients on PD compared to those on hemodialysis. Longer maintenance of residual renal function in PD compared to hemodialysis adds to the lower morbidity and the survival benefit of PD mentioned above. Many developments in the prevention of the causes of technique failure, including measures to prevent serious peritonitis episodes and new biocompatible PD solutions, together with the possible advantages of some types of catheters and implantation techniques, encourage us to believe that we can offer successful long-term PD in the near future. Overall, the new insight into the pathogenesis of peritoneal membrane changes, the response of the industry to this knowledge by producing new biocompatible PD solutions, the decrease in the peritonitis rate and the introduction of assisted PD at home encourages us to believe that the future of PD is indeed bright.