Long-term survival of dogs maintained solely on intraperitoneal nutrition.

Total intraperitoneal nutrition (IPN) for patients in whom enteral nutrition is impossible would utilize the access techniques of peritoneal dialysis and avoid long-term central venous cannulation. We previously demonstrated that a lipid emulsion was quantitatively absorbed from the dog's peritoneal cavity over four hours. We have now investigated the efficacy of total IPN in dogs over periods up to four weeks. A solution of 1.25% amino acids, 1% glucose, 77 mEq/L Na, 4 mEq/L K, and 81 mEq/L Cl (AGE) was administered IP at 65 mL/kg every 12 hours in combination with 25 mL/kg of 20% lipid emulsion to five dogs allowed free access to food and water for ten days. Sixty percent of administered fluid was absorbed. When AGE and lipid were administered separately every 12 hours to six dogs, 90% was absorbed. In five dogs kept strictly NPO for two weeks while receiving alternating AGE and lipid, absorption averaged 60%. Removing the amino acids allowed absorption to remain at 70% for two weeks, although it dropped to 40% by four weeks. Nine dogs were maintained for a mean of 3.5 weeks while strictly NPO using a solution of 1% glucose and electrolytes at 120 mL/kg every 12 hours with 50 mL/kg of 20% lipid given at a third separate infusion. During the fourth week, they absorbed 118 mL/kg/24 hours of fluid and 26 calories/kg/24 hours. Body weight decreased to 75% of control over four weeks. Complete blood cell count (CBC), Na, K, Cl, total protein (TP), SGOT, and alkaline phosphatase (AP) remained unchanged during this time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)