[A home enteral nutrition program: 32 years of clinical experience]

Introduction: home parenteral nutrition (NPD) is a complex technique that involves multidisciplinary follow-up. Objectives: descriptive analysis of all patients included in the NPD program. Methods: retrospective study of patients with NPD between 1985 and 2017 in our center, a tertiary university hospital. Results: we analyzed 61 patients (32 men, mean age: 51.2 years). The most common underlying pathology was neoplasia (32.8%), with short bowel syndrome (SIC) being the main indication of NPD (70.5%). Forty-five patients received partial NPD and 16 total. The tunnelled vein catheter was the most common venous access used. 20 patients suspended it for complete oral intake (19 the first 5 years), 26 were deceased (18 the first 5 years) and 15 maintain it. Neoplasia was the most frequent cause of death (46.2%) and in 15.4% liver disease was associated with NPD. The median duration of NPD was 25 months [1-394]; being in 24 patients longer than 5 years (8 dead, only 1 for oncologic cause not related to the NPD). Fifty-four per cent had catheter infections, being isolated 55.2% Staphylococcus coagulase negative, with an infection rate of 1.04 per 1000 days of catheterization. Conclusions: NPD is a useful therapeutic strategy in intestinal failure. The SIC is the most frequent indication in our case study. The underlying pathology, such as neoplasia, will determine the prognosis. Catheter infection is the more frequent complication, so it is necessary to strengthen health education and antiseptic prophylaxis.