ENTERING ON A CREATIVE AND ENTERPRISING PROJECT, DRS. DIZEREGA and Rodgers have taken an innovative look at the peritoneum. They have provided an interesting, informative, and stimulating text about an organ that is rarely considered independently-usually being thought of only as a part of other organs or organ systems. The peritoneum is an active membrane that serves as both a secretory organ and a structure that modulates diffusion and osmosis. Both of these important functions are described in great detail. The text is divided in classic fashion. The authors first examine the peritoneal anatomy from both macro and cellular viewpoints, during which exploration it becomes clear that what appears simply to be a lacy covering over abdominal organs actually is a complex structure. Fur­ thermore, during the discussion on its embryologic development the au­ thors make comprehensible the complexity confronting the student of the peritoneum. The authors then proceed to the practicalities associated with this im­ portant organ. To surgeons, for example, the key to the peritoneum is understanding the organ's repair mechanism, as it is adhesions formed on the peritoneal surfaces that interfere with the surgeon's hope of success.

1. Peritoneum.- Histology.- Mesothelial Histology.- Embryology.- Anatomy.- Peritonitis.- Peritoneal Re-Epithelialization.- Surgical Injuries.- Conclusion.- 2. Peritoneal Fluid.- Volume.- Cells of the Serous Exudate.- Peritoneal Surface Area.- Peritoneal Fluid Transport.- Transperitoneal Exchange.- Peritoneal Absorption.- Distribution Models.- Tissue Concentration Gradients.- Intraperitoneal Pharmacokinetics.- Summary.- 3. Growth Factors.- Epidermal Growth Factor.- Fibroblast Growth Factor.- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor.- Interleukin-1.- Tumor Necrosis Factor.- Transforming Growth Factor-?.- Other Factors.- Wound Healing and Growth Factor Interactions.- Peritoneum and Growth Factor Interactions.- Wound Fluid.- Conclusion.- 4. Fibroblasts And Tissue Repair Cells.- Matrix.- Matrix Degradation.- Proliferation.- Tissue Repair Cells.- Cell-to-Cell Response.- Growth Factors.- Summary.- 5. Extracellular Matrix.- Collagen.- Proteoglycans.- Fibronectin.- Integrins.- Peritoneal Healing.- Hyaluronic Acid in Coagulation and Wound Healing.- Extracellular Matrix and Tissue Remodeling.- Prostaglandins and Extracellular Matrix.- Summary.- 6. Peritoneal Macrophages.- Macrophage Life Cycle.- Macrophage Morphology and Physiology.- Mononuclear Phagocyte Kinetics.- Macrophage Function.- Regulation of Macrophage Function.- Terminology for Mononuclear Phagocytes Participating in Inflammatory Reactions.- Macrophage-Mediated Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Deposition.- Fibronectin.- Role of Postsurgical Macrophages in Tissue Repair.- Conclusions.- 7. Fibrinolysis.- Fibrinolytic System.- Inhibitors of Fibrinolysis.- Tissue Distribution of Fibrinolytic Activity.- Implications of Fibrinolysis in Peritoneal Surgery.- Summary.- 8. Proteinases And Proteinase Inhibitors.- Fibrinolytic System.- Collagenase.- Elastase.- Miscellaneous Proteases.- Proteinase Inhibitors.- Conclusions.- 9. Intraperitoneal Adhesions.- Incidence.- Predisposing Factors.- Peritoneal Closure.- Morphogenesis of Adhesion Formation.- Radiation.- Oxygen Free Radicals.- Complications Arising from Intraperitoneal Adhesions.- Conclusion.- 10. Prevention of Postoperative Adhesions.- Peritoneal Lavage.- Agents Affecting Coagulation.- Surgical Techniques to Minimize Ischemia.- Barrier Agents.- Inhibition of Fibroblast Proliferation and Local Inflammatory Response.- Removal of Fibrin Deposits.- Laser Surgery.- Surgical Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy and Adhesion Formation.- Adhesion Classification.- Conclusion.