[Parenteral or enteral feeding in intensive therapy?]

Attention is first called to the reasons underlying resort to hyperalimentation. Difficulties and complications for both parenteral and enteral techniques are then indicated. Stress is laid on the importance of reassessing the enteral route and the commonest formulas are indicated on the basis of the literature and personal experience. Finally, a procedure for artificial enteral feeding providing for the use of the precooked foods used in infancy is described.