[Anatomy and physiology of the peritoneum in CAPD: evolution and methods of surveillance]

The basic structure of the peritoneum appears very simple; it is composed of a monolayer of mesothelial cells separated from capillaries by a thin interstitial tissue. However its roles are multiple. Basically devoted to the mechanical protection of abdominal viscera, it also plays an important part in the local immune defences; in the field of peritoneal dialysis, its integrity is necessary to assure an adequate mass transfer. In dialysis, the characteristics of peritoneal clearances and glucose equilibration curves may help diagnose early damage of the peritoneal membrane and prevent irreversible more severe lesions.