Peritoneal dialysis is a different type of dialysis than hemodialysis. The difference between the two is that peritoneal dialysis does not use a filter membrane, but rather the body’s abdominal cavity and the peritoneum that surrounds it. The peritoneum has small pores through which toxins and other substances in the blood can enter the abdominal cavity. Prior to peritoneal dialysis, access to the peritoneal dialysis fluid is established by placing a soft, flexible dialysis tubing into the peritoneal cavity through a small procedure. The dialysis tubing is about the thickness of a pencil, and when you are not using it, your clothes cover it so it is not visible from the outside. Dialysis tubing can last a lifetime if it is well protected. There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). The type of peritoneal dialysis used is determined by your health care provider based on your condition, lifestyle, and ability to complete the peritoneal dialysis operation. Both types of peritoneal dialysis are continuous, meaning that every moment is spent removing excess water and waste from your body, similar to a normal kidney. In this way, your diet is not as restrictive as that of hemodialysis. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): The most commonly used form of peritoneal dialysis today, it can be performed in any clean place and requires equipment including a bag containing peritoneal dialysis fluid and a plastic tube attached to the bag.CAPD uses gravity to introduce peritoneal dialysis fluid into the abdominal cavity. After the peritoneal dialysis fluid has been stored in the peritoneal cavity for a period of time (usually 4-6 hours), you can drain the old peritoneal dialysis fluid, which contains toxins and excess water, and replace it with a new bag of peritoneal dialysis fluid into the peritoneal cavity to start a new round of peritoneal dialysis. A single infusion and drain of peritoneal dialysis fluid is called a fluid exchange. Each fluid change takes about 30 minutes. You can continue your normal daily routine and work except for the fluid exchange time. Many people schedule exchanges in the morning and at night before bedtime. The number of exchanges per day depends on the type of peritoneal dialysis and the needs of your condition, and is usually 3-4 times per day. Automated peritoneal dialysis: One of the most common types is called continuous loop peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). It is performed at home using a peritoneal dialysis machine, and dialysis is performed at night while you sleep. A peritoneal dialysis tubing is connected to the peritoneal dialysis and the machine constantly injects and draws peritoneal dialysis fluid into the peritoneal cavity. In the morning, a new bag of peritoneal dialysis fluid is injected into the peritoneal cavity and then the connection is removed. During the day, the decision to change the fluid manually can be made according to the needs of the condition.