New Concepts of Ambulatory Home Hyperalimentation

Abstract

Various infusion systems have been devised to allow long-term administration of total parenteral nutrition solutions on an ambulatory basis to patients who are unable to maintain adequate enteral nutrition and/or who might benefit from a period of bowel rest. During the past 3 yr, the intravenous hyperalimentation team of The Hermann Hospital and The University of Texas Medical School at Houston has gained considerable experience in developing a specially designed patient vest which is comfortable, attractive and practical for continuous or intermittent central venous or enteral feeding on an ambulatory basis. The system is described together with the results of its use. in 25 patients ranging in age from 23 mo to 66 yr for a cumulative total ambulatory home hyperalimentation experience equivalent to 12.4 man-years. Complications related to the technique have been minimal, and clinical results have been most gratifying. It is anticipated that further advances in this vital field will contribute to increased cost effectiveness, cost containment and favorable clinical results. The purposes of this communication are to: (1) summarize the relatively short history of the genesis of ambulatory home hyperalimentation, (2) describe ambulatory infusion techniques and the system developed at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and (3) report our experience with the development and clinical application of this system.

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References

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