[Scanning electron microscopy study of the peritoneum as a dialysis membrane--a morphological study on the etiology of sclerosing peritonitis].

Scanning electron microscopy investigations of the surface of rat peritoneum were performed after application of isotonic saline solution and peritoneal dialysis solutions with osmolalities of 375, 528, and 680 mosmol x kg-1 and intraabdominal stay periods of 15, 30, and 45 minutes. Severe morphological changes of the peritoneal surface were shown as clotting and atrophy of microvilli, detachment of surface cells from the basement layer, destruction of the basal lamina and appearance of rough-fibrous submembranous connective tissue, which was observed even after application of isotonic saline solution into the abdominal cavity. In conclusion, sclerosing peritonitis is caused by a fruitless inflammation reaction of the organism against the unphysiological function of the peritoneum as dialysis membrane forced upon peritoneal dialysis.