[Fundamentals of parenteral feeding in internal diseases]

A review of parenteral infusion therapy in internal medicine is given. The principles of total parenteral nutrition with fatty acids, ethanol, glucose, non-glucose-carbohydrates (fructose, sorbitol, xylitol) and amino acids are discussed. Problems such as indication and contraindication, metabolism and utilization of the applied substances as well as adverse effects are dealt with. The practice of infusion therapy and its form of application are shown on the basis of the author's own experience. Finally a scheme for total parenteral nutrition is presented.