Methanol intoxication. Comparison of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis treatment.

A unique opportunity presented itself for reviewing and comparing the results of two different methods of dialytic therapy for the treatment of methanol (methyl alcohol) poisoning. The group that was treated with hemodialysis initially had a faster fall in serum methanol level, regained consciousness faster, had a shorter hospital stay, and, most importantly, had no residual effects when compared with the group treated with peritoneal dialysis. In this group, one patient died and another was permanently blinded. Therefore, we believe that hemodialysis, when available, is the initial treatment of choice in methanol poisoning and should be used concomitantly with alkaline therapy and the administration of alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol).