Complete intravenous nutrition when the gastrointestinal tract cannot be used.
Intravenous delivery of all essential nutrients (amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) when gastrointestinal function is absent or severely impaired. Bypasses the digestive system completely.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is used when enteral feeding is impossible or contraindicated, such as in bowel obstruction, severe malabsorption, or post-major surgery. All macronutrients and micronutrients are provided intravenously through a central venous catheter. TPN requires careful formulation based on individual needs, precise calculations, and strict monitoring due to risks of infection, metabolic complications, and line-related complications. While life-saving, TPN should be used only when enteral nutrition is truly impossible, as it carries higher infection risk and does not maintain intestinal integrity.
Maintains complete nutritional support in patients with non-functional gastrointestinal tract, preventing severe malnutrition and supporting recovery from critical illness.
Reserve TPN for when enteral feeding is truly impossible. Use central lines for osmolarity >900 mOsm/L. Monitor blood glucose, liver function, and triglycerides twice weekly. Transition to enteral feeding as soon as gastrointestinal function recovers.
TPN is essential for survival when the gut cannot function, but should be discontinued as soon as enteral feeding becomes possible to reduce infection risk.
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