Long term parenteral nutrition in the management of severe Crohn's disease

Abstract Twelve patients with active severe Crohn's disease, who failed to respond to medical treatment, received total parenteral nutrition (T.P.N.) via a Broviac long term feeding catheter for periods of 35–190 days prior to surgery. The 10 patients who were non-oedematous increased their mean weight by 3.3 Kg ( p p p It is concluded that long term T.P.N. does not eliminate the need for surgery, but it may improve the nutritional status and reduce the post operative morbidity of malnourished patients with severe Crohn's disease.