Total parenteral nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.

Nutritional depletion is a common feature of inflammatory bowel disease. The advent of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has allowed nutritional repletion or maintenance while total bowel rest is achieved. The experience with total parenteral nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease is varied; our recommendations for use of total parenteral nutrition in specific situations are presented with a description of the techniques for administration in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.