[Total parenteral nutrition as primary therapy in Crohn's disease (author's transl)]

Total parenteral nutrition was given to 10 patients with acute regional enteritis for 3--12 weeks. The rationale of this therapy is elimination of potential food allergens and decrease of intestinal irritation. Complete remission of the disease could be achieved in 8 patients, thus surgical removal of the intestine involved could be avoided. One entero-cutaneous and two perinal fistulas healed spontaneously; two other perianal fistulas improved so much, that local surgical treatment was sufficient. If well planned, total parenteral nutrition can be performed without disturbance of metabolism and septicemia caused by the catheter can be avoided. No final judgement about recurrence of regional enteritis after total parenteral nutrition is possible at present due to as yet limited experience.