Peritoneal Dialysis
PD Catheter
Before you can begin peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments, you need to have a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placed as an access for the removal of waste and toxins from your body. A PD catheter, the only type of dialysis access used for PD, is placed through your abdomen and into the peritoneal space through the peritoneal membrane—the thin membrane that lines your abdominal wall. PD catheter placement is typically performed as a minimally invasive procedure in an outpatient setting. A PD catheter is made of silicone or another soft, flexible medical-grade material. (ii) Your catheter will have cuffs on it to prevent it from shifting and moving around, and that helps keep bacteria out of the tunnel and exit site. The PD catheter exit site is typically placed to the left or right of your belly button. Dylan had this procedure at the end of June and is currently training to learn the steps of PD so he can do at-home treatments.
