RESUMEN
Continual ambulatory dialysis (CAPD) is used during the last five years with increasing frequency in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure. In some countries already a very high proportion of patients is treated by this method, e.g. in Great Britain about 50%. A decisive influence in the design of peritoneal catheters (PC) and improvement of the exchange system of bags with the dialyzatin fluid. The most important step in the development of the peritoneal catheter was the introduction of a dacron cuff in the intramural portion of the catheter by Tenckhoff. The cuff is a strong barrier against penetration of infection into the abdominal cavity via the subcutaneous tunnel. There are many modifications of the design of the intraperitoneal part, however, they are not of such fundamental importance for the function of the PC as the dacron cuff. As regards implantation of the PC, in addition to the surgical insertion the laparoscopic method is being enforced. A new method is leaving the external portion of the PC in subcutaneous tissue for 3-6 weeks, as recommended by Moncrief and Popovich. This method reduced the incidence of peritonitis after exteriorization of the PC.