Peritoneal dialysis is a medical treatment that utilizes the peritoneum, a natural membrane lining the abdominal cavity and acting as a natural filter, to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood. A special solution, called dialysate, is introduced into the peritoneal cavity through a surgically placed catheter. This solution is allowed to dwell in the abdominal cavity for a specified period, enabling waste substances and excess water from the blood to pass into the dialysate through the filtering properties of the peritoneal membrane. At the end of this period, the used dialysate containing waste is drained and replaced with fresh solution; this process is typically repeated multiple times a day.