Peripheral parenteral nutrition: a preliminary report on its efficacy and safety.

In this preliminary study of peripheral parenteral nutrition, we compared our first nine patients fed by this method with 21 patients fed by total parenteral nutrition during the same period. We found that peripheral parenteral nutrition was as effective as total parenteral nutrition in improving physiologic function (both skeletal and respiratory muscle function). We also found that by using the protocol described here thrombophlebitis was not a significant problem. Additional study is required to ascertain the exact incidence of this and other complications. We would advocate the greater use of peripheral parenteral nutrition in suitable patients and the use of this protocol for its administration.