Continuous peritoneal dialysis. The first 2 years of a programme at Groote Schuur Hospital

The results of treatment of a group of patients in end-stage renal failure by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are discussed. Two years after the start of the programme two-thirds of the patients who commenced treatment during that time are still maintained on CAPD. The major complication has been peritonitis, which was responsible for half the treatment failures. CAPD provides a useful alternative to maintenance haemodialysis for some patients, although it cannot replace haemodialysis for the majority of patients in end-stage chronic renal failure.