[Indications and possibilities for parenteral nutrition (author's transl)].

Parenteral nutrition is a basic therapy. It is necessary to have a preoperative definition of the nutritional condition and metabolism of the surgical patient. All disturbances such as catabolism and hypoproteinemia must be analyzed and treated. Patients in good general condition who need parenteral nutrition for more than two days receive a "basic nutrition" with 0.8-1.0 g amino acids and 4-5 mg carbohydrates/kg body weight/day, which may be given via peripheral veins. A "total parenteral nutrition" is always indicated if the patient is in a marked catabolic condition pre-operatively, or if it is anticipated from the extent of the operation procedure that parenteral replacement must continue beyond four days.