Although initiating RRT on PD was associated with favourable patient survival when compared with starting on HD treatment, PD was often not selected as initial dialysis modality. Over time, we observed a significant decline in PD use and a stabilization in HD use. These observations were explained by the lower incidence rate of PD and HD and the increase in pre-emptive transplantation.

Despite a widespread preconception that HD should be reserved for cases in which PD is not feasible, in Europe, we found 1 in 8 infants in need of maintenance dialysis to be initiated on HD therapy. Patient characteristics at dialysis therapy initiation, prospective survival, and time to transplantation were very similar for infants initiated on PD or HD therapy.

No abstract

This study shows a great international variability in weekly HD duration and some discrepancies between current practices and the EBPG. It also points out the difficulty of obtaining and comparing Kt/V values under current registry practices.

Previous histologic and phalloarteriographic studies that we have performed suggest that stenoses and occlusions of the arteries supplying the penis play a very important role in the etiology of sexual impotence in many patients. This report describes the results of direct arterial anastomosis to the cavernous bodies of the penis, using the inferior epigastric artery and microsurgical technique, in 21 impotent males ranging in age from 40 to 63 years. The objective of the operation was to increase basal penile blood flow to a level, determined by preoperative studies, just below that necessary to maintain an effective erection. A limited capacity to increase blood flow in response to an erotic stimulus could then suffice to produce an erection. The anastomosis became occluded in 6 patients, and the complication of priapism developed in 3. The bypass remained patent in 13 patients, 11 of whom experienced improved erection. Nine patients resumed normal sexual activity that, prior to operation, was impossible.