PARENTERAL-NUTRITION BY PERIPHERAL VEIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Twenty-five patients with gynecologic cancer were treated with 34 courses of parenteral nutrition by peripheral vein (PNPV) using 10% dextrose and 5% casein hydrolysate. Indications for therapy included preoperative and postoperative support, radiation enteritis, bowel fistulas or obstruction, and support of patients during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Weight gain was experienced by 21 of 25 patients during therapy, there was good wound healing in patients undergoing operation, and no patients had interruption of chemotherapy or radiation therapy while on PNPV. The data suggest that many patients who might benefit from protein sparing therapy and caloric supplementation can be treated with PNPV. The advantages of PNPV over total parenteral nutrition by central venous catheter include reduced risk of complications, expense, and complexity of monitoring and delivery. A systematic outline for the management of patients by PNPV is presented. © 1979.