[14 years of the peritoneal dialysis program at the internal medicine department in Strahov (1978-1991)]

The authors present an account of 14 years experience of the department as regards treatment of chronic renal failure by peritoneal dialysis. Initial experience revealed that this method is feasible as an alternative of haemodialyzation treatment even in case of limited technical possibilities (using the so-called bottle system) but treatment was associated with a high incidence of peritonitis. During the subsequent period the incidence of peritonitis was substantially reduced in conjunction with the elaboration of hygienic provisions, enlightment of patients and a change from the regime of continual exchanges in a home environment to a regime of intermittent peritoneal dialysis performed mostly in hospital. Experience assembled in the department was also important. The longest period of treatment is 60 months. In another 18 patients it is more than 20 months. The most frequent cause of termination is loss of the ultrafiltration capacity of the peritoneum. Several patients had successful transplantations. The prolonged experience can be used at present when the so-called bag system is introduced.