Anuria Treated by Peritoneal Irrigation

The treatment of renal failure by the substitution of an artificial kidney has long been considered, and animal experimentation and clinical trials have been carried out. The employment of the peritoneum as a dialyzing membrane constitutes a promising approach to this problem. Its use has not been feasible in the past for several reasons: (1) the lack of a satisfactory lavage fluid, that is, a fluid that would not cause significant disturbance of water and electrolyte balance; (2) the great susceptibility of the peritoneum to infection and the seriousness of such infection, and (3) the technical difficulties with clotting in carrying out the procedure. Recent developments have largely overcome these difficulties. The work of Abbott and Shea1using nephrectomized dogs resulted in the composition of a suitable lavage fluid. Fine, Frank and Seligman2improved the technic of peritoneal irrigation in human beings. They successfully treated a patient with