Overview

We look after people who need to be fed directly into their bloodstream. This is because they cannot absorb enough nutrients through their bowel. 

You might need parenteral nutrition (PN) on a temporary basis, including before or after surgery. You may need it permanently at home.

Parenteral nutrition is given through a tube into a large vein. You are fed with a liquid that contains all the nutrients you need.

We give the PN in 2 ways.

• Peripheral PN, where we give the infusion through a vein in your arm, but the tip does not reach the heart. This is only suitable for low concentrations of PN which may not be enough for most people. This type of line is called a midline. 
• Central PN, where we give the infusion through a central vein in your chest above your heart. This allows us to give you higher concentrations of nutrition. Central PN is given using:
  • PICC lines
  • Hickman lines
  • Port-a-Cath
  • internal jugular and femoral lines

We see people in hospital and in the community.

Health information

The type of line you have will depend on how your PN is going to be delivered and how long you need it for.

We have information about:

• PICC lines
• Hickman lines
• Port-a-Cath

Our consultants

Alex Zissimopoulos, consultant gastroenterologist

Leo Chong, consultant gastroenterologist