[Fat emulsions in parenteral feeding. Clinical experience with multiple injury patients]

Serious injury and functional disturbances following multiple trauma make long-term parenteral nutrition necessary. Due to the significance of fats as a major source of energy and provider of essential fatty acids, parenteral fat emulsions are indicated in the treatment of severely injured patients. As soon as the excessive, trauma-induced metabolic derangement begins to subside, parenteral nutrition can be initiated. The presence of respiratory insufficiency can no longer be considered a contraindication for the infusion of fat emulsions. On the contrary, in the management of the post-traumatic clinical state, especially when complicated with the incidence of respiratory insufficiency, bacterio-toxic syndrome or long-term intestinal atony, an adequate regimen of parenteral nutrition including fat emulsions is of particular importance for the successful convalescence of the patient.