Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis without wearing a bag: complete freedom of patient and significant reduction of peritonitis.

Despite the great impact of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as an effective modality of treatment for uraemic patients, two limiting factors remain: the high incidence of peritonitis and the need for patients continuously to carry a bag. We have designed a new closed system with two bags connected to the permanent Tenckhoff catheter. Two clamps alternately allow outflow and inflow of peritoneal dialysate. When the exchange manoeuvre is finished the patient frees the whole system from the needle and discards it. Since December 1978, 24 patients have been treated with this technique. The results are similar to the Toronto series with a marked reduction in the incidence of peritonitis (22.5 pt/months).