Benefits of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A clinical review.

During the last 15 years total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has played a role of increased importance in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, alongside conventional medical and surgical therapy. Ten cases, both inveterate and recently discovered ones, which illustrate the possible applications and great benefits of TPN are reported. The importance of a balanced, complete intravenous feeding regimen using a special aseptic infusion technique for obtaining optimal results is stressed. The difficulties involved in a scientific evaluation of the therapeutic results are discussed.