A new approach to the treatment of renal failure.

There is an apparent need for an alternative form of treatment for renal failure. This study, therefore, sought to determine the feasibility of dialysing across an isolated loop of colon and its possible application to augment failing renal function in chronic uraemic patients. Haemodialysis and renal transplantation are undisputedly effective in treating renal failure but have many drawbacks. They are unavailable in the underdeveloped world, extremely expensive to institute and maintain, and their need and expense are compounded every year by the discovery of new cases. Colonic loops were isolated in sheep and studies performed to find an effective solution in terms of urea clearance. The best solution was then used in animals in which acute or chronic uraemia was induced and, compared with controls, prolonged life significantly (P less than 0-05). Once it had been established that urea could be removed across the colonic mocosa, it was used in patients with established isolated loops of colon. Even though they had normal blood levels, urea was recovered in the dialysate. Results indicate that colonic dialysis, which is simple and inexpensive, may have a place as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chronic renal failure.