Since the clinical use of an artificial kidney was described by Kolff and Berk,1 in 1944, various types of dialyzers have been applied in the treatment of renal failure. A prefabricated, presterilized, disposable coil kidney* is now commercially available. Through its simplicity of preparation and operation,2 we use it not only in the emergency of acute uremia but also in the treatment of the patient having chronic renal disease.
During the past five years (1952 to 1957), 13 patients with polycystic renal disease have been seen by the artificial kidney team of the Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Eight patients were severely ill and were treated with dialysis. They received a total of 14 dialyses. Two patients received three dialyses each. All of these patients, of course, received the necessary medical management.
Five patients were treated conservatively only, without dialysis.
The purpose of this paper is to review our experience