ABSTRACT
In the late 1960s in the USA, Dudrick and Wilmore demonstrated that long-term administration of hypertonic nutrient infusates through a catheter inserted into the superior vena cava was feasible, with immediate dilution of the hypertonic solution, preventing damage to the vein.1,2 By infusing a hypertonic mixture of glucose, protein hydrolysate, electrolytes, minerals and vitamins, they proved that it was possible to achieve normal growth and development in an infant with multiple smallbowel atresia.1,2 Indeed, parenteral nutrition (PN), since its introduction in clinical practice during the late 1960s has enabled many patients to survive and has reduced the incidence of malnutrition related to a variety of digestive and non-digestive diseases. With antibiotics, antitumoral chemotherapy and organ transplantation, PN can be considered as one of the most important therapeutic advances over the past 50 years since it has demonstrated its potential for changing the course of both medical and surgical patients.
