Peritoneal dialysis was performed in 16 renal-failure patients to study the necessity of complete drainage during the outflow period. Comparison between complete drainage (CD) and the accelerated inflow and limited outflow (AILO) showed no difference of drainage volume despite the accelerated outflow during the AILO period. It is postulated that the higher level of dialysate in the fluid line during the AILO period resulted in a relative increase availability of the outflow through the catheter perforations. In the CD period the peritoneal clearances of urea, creatinine and insulin were lower because of inefficient transport of these solutes during the outflow phase. The authors concluded that complete drainage is not necessary in intermittent peritoneal dialysis.
