Dialysis therapies for end-stage renal disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has various causes that may differ according to country and racial group. Whatever the cause, unless the water, salt, electrolytes, and waste products excreted by normal kidneys are removed, their accumulation will result in death. Removal of these products can be variably achieved by either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The principles and outcomes of these techniques are described, as are their complications. It is important that these two different methods of treatment are not regarded as competitive, but are integrated, together with renal transplantation where appropriate, into the management of patients with ESRD to optimize both outcome and quality of life.