The transport of macromolecules from the circulation to the peritoneal cavity is a size-selective restricted process, while the transport of these solutes from the peritoneal cavity is probably mainly by lymphatic absorption. If so, it should be independent of molecular size. Therefore, we studied with a clearance technique the disappearance of intraperitoneally administered inulin and polydisperse dextran 70 in nine continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and compared the results with the simultaneously measured appearance clearance of serum proteins. Using gel permeation chromatography 18 dextran fractions with different molecular radii could be analyzed. Inulin clearance (2.94 mL/min) was higher than total dextran clearance (1.30 mL/min). The maximal dextran concentration in all dialysate samples was found in the 50.4 A fraction. The clearances of the dextran fractions were the same of different molecular sizes. All disappearance clearances were higher than the appearance clearances: the protein/dextran clearance ratio ranged from 0.15 for albumin/36 A to 0.04 for alpha 2-macroglobulin/91 A. This confirms that the appearance of a macromolecule, but not its disappearance is dependent on molecular size. It is concluded that the disappearance of macromolecules from the peritoneal cavity is mainly a size independent convective process, possibly by lymphatic uptake. This implies that total dextran 70 clearance can be used for measurement of lymphatic absorption in CAPD patients.