A simple method of lessening the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis using a photochemical reactor

Peritoneal dialysis is becoming increasingly accepted as a definitive treatment for chronic renal failure. One of its major complications is peritonitis. Ultraviolet light is known to have a bactericidal action. A photochemical reactor is described which produces ultraviolet light and which can be inserted into a peritoneal dialysis circuit. It was initially successful tested on artificially infected peritoneal dialysis fluid in the laboratory. It was then used successfully in clinical peritoneal dialysis.