[Total parenteral nutrition]

A short historical introduction is followed by an account of the indications and counter-indications for total parenteral feedings, together with its administration modalities, bearing in mind the importance this technique currently enjoys in the stomatological and maxillo-faccial field. The metabolic situation of average patients subjected to this form of treatment is described, along with the hydric, caloric, plastic and electrolytic aspects of a given method, and the way in which the success or failure of an adopted technique can be ascertained.