Remove waste from your blood

Dialysis is an artificial way to remove harmful waste and excess salt and fluid from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do so on their own. Peritoneal dialysis is one type of dialysis.

With peritoneal dialysis, the network of tiny blood vessels in your abdomen (peritoneal cavity) is used to filter your blood. Peritoneal dialysis can be done manually throughout the day or with a machine at night. Some people use a combination of both methods.

Here you'll see automated peritoneal dialysis. With this type of peritoneal dialysis, you must be attached to the dialysis machine for 10 to 12 hours at night. The trade-off is greater flexibility during the day.