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.
D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays