First experience with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Intermittent or regular haemodialysis treatment, Haemofiltration therapy and Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis form the main methods of renal replacement therapy preparatory to kidney transplantation as the treatment for advanced chronic renal failure in the developed world. In Sri Lanka we have hitherto been able to offer only conservative treatment with a low protein diet, careful hypertension control, haematinics and metabolic management. Patients who could afford to go abroad have benefited from the afotementioned types of therapeutic alternatives. In January 1983, the Department of Medicine started a Chronic Ambulatory PeritoneaI Dialysis (C.A.P.D.) programme Sri Lanka if the patient could afford to supply his own special peritoneal dialysis fluid. The Department of Surgery has inserted the special teflon peritoneal dialysis catheter (Tenckhoff catheter) using the Tenck hoff Technique. We have using the superior C.A.P.D. Double bag system (medital SA) in our patients. We report our experiences with the first two Sri Lankan patients in whom the C.A.P.D. technique was used and discuss the feasibility of the technique in Sri Lanka.