Peripheral and central parenteral nutrition: a cost-comparison analysis.

The concept that total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has to be administered centrally is increasingly recognised to be mistaken: for most patients, peripheral parenteral nutrition provides satisfactory nutritional support. Use of the peripheral route avoids the risks of central venous cannulation--but is it more cost-effective? In a randomized clinical study we examined the costs of TPN in 51 patients who underwent a mean of 8 days of intravenous feeding and conclude that the use of peripheral parenteral nutrition may lead to cost savings.