In 1994, the expert knowledge of Ram Gokal and Karl D. Nolph, the two foremost figures in the field of peritoneal dialysis, was combined to produce the first edition of the Textbook of Peritoneal Dialysis. The work quickly became recognised as the `gold standard for those working in the field. Since its conception, however, our understanding of peritoneal dialysis related physiology, kinetics and clinical outcomes, as well as the concepts of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, has increased sufficiently to make an updated and completely revised edition of the work necessary. An expansion of the editorial team by fellow-experts Ramesh Khanna and Raymond Krediet enabled an even more comprehensive approach to be taken. This second edition reasserts the books uniqueness in its detailed discussion of the topic, making it required reading for all those working within the field of peritoneal dialysis.