[Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of end-stage renal insufficiency. Current status in 1991]

CAPD was introduced in the U.S.A in 1978 as a new technique of peritoneal dialysis and as a self-treatment method and new possibility of renal replacement therapy in patients with end-stage renal failure. Up to this time peritoneal dialysis stood in the shade of hemodialysis, so that the new technique brought about a true renaissance of peritoneal dialysis. Owing to its advantages CAPD rapidly expanded worldwide and the number of CAPD patients is still increasing. Patients who could not be taken into consideration for renal replacement treatment because of shortage of facilities, could now be accepted in increasing number; a new era of renal replacement therapy began. The article describes the technique, the advantages, disadvantages and the problems regarding the indications for CAPD as is the status in the year 1991.