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What is total parenteral nutrition (TPN)? "Parenteral" means administered any other way except by the mouth. "Nutrition" means feeding. "Parenteral nutrition" means feeding someone via their blood stream, "intravenously". "Total parenteral nutrition" ("TPN"), means feeding a patient solely rather than partly intravenously. Why is it necessary? TPN might be necessary if: a patient is severely undernourished, and needs to have surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy; a patient suffers from chronic diarrhoea and vomiting; a baby's gut is too immature; a patient's (their "gastrointestinal tract") is paralysed, for example after major surgery. Any medical condition in which the patient cannot or should not be fed by mouth might require feeding by TPN solution. The nutrient solution consists of water, glucose, salts, amino acids, vitamins and (more controversially) sometimes emulsified fats. Long term TPN patients sometimes suffer from lack of trace nutrients or electrolyte imbalances. Because increased blood sugar commonly occurs with TPN, insulin may also be added to the infusion. Occasionally, other drugs are added as well.