Peritoneal dialysis by indwelling catheter for chronic renal failure 1963-1968.

Twenty-three patients with end-stage chronic renal failure have been treated by prolonged peritoneal dialysis employing an in-lying silicone rubber catheter of original design. The mean duration of treatment was 13.8 months and the longest was over four years. Biochemical and symptomatic results were satisfactory.Rehabilitation was only fairly good, but this was largely determined by the extent of the pre-existing extra-renal disease. Thirteen of the patients were able to manage a major portion of their therapy at home. The main complication was infection which occurred in 85% of cases, but at a mean interval of 10.6 months. There are seven survivors, but only one death was attributed to failure of the system. It is a method that can be used in community hospitals and requires a minimum amount of equipment and experience.