Treatment of chronic renal failure: situation of CAPD

The authors are using Continuous Ambulatory Peritroneal Dialysis (CAPD) in the treatment of chronic renal failure. Started in May 1978, their experience encompasses 19 patients (9 men, 10 women). The method, developed by Oreopoulos, consists of exchanging 2 liters of dialysate 4 times a day, 7 days a week. They report their clinical and biological results and the complications. The most frequent is peritonitis (1 episode per 9.3 patients months). The simplicity and the efficacy of CAPD permits them to treat 30% of the renal patients who need chronic dialysis.