Abstract

PINTO, Joana Filipa Gonçalo Meireles  and  COSTA, Eduardo Lima da. Home parenteral nutrition: a shift in the paradigm. Arq Med [online]. 2015, vol.29, n.4, pp.103-111. ISSN 2183-2447.

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a perfectly recognized therapeutic modality in cases of chronic intestinal failure. The relatively low mortality and morbidity associated to improved overall results encouraged HPN spread in Western countries, placing itself as a better option when compared to bowel transplantation. In spite of the new emphasis on moving healthcare outside the hospital setting, the role of highly motivated multidisciplinary teams as well as the active involvement of patients and their caregivers is absolutely fundamental to provide viability to this therapeutic approach. The HPN has shown benefits for patients by both improving the nutritional status and survival. It is currently the first therapeutical choice in patients with chronic intestinal failure. Nevertheless, in Portugal, there is still no standardized provision leading to an urgent demand for national organizational measures.

Keywords : Home parenteral nutrition; intestinal failure; short bowel syndrome.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )