Background and Importance Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) is a widely-usedand complex intravenous formulation with certain singularities. According to the European and the American Societies of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN and ASPEN), an appropriate duration of PPN (7–10 days) is related to a lower number of complications such as catheter infections or metabolic imbalances.

Aim and Objectives To assess whether a longer duration of PPNs is related to an increase in associated complications.

Material and Methods A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in adult patients hospitalised in the Digestive Service who received PPN between 1 January 2021 and 15 September 2022 . The following variables were collected: demographic data (sex and age), underlying disease, duration of PPN administration reason for discontinuation and PPN-associated complications. Data were obtained from digital medical records and parenteral nutrition software (KABISOFT).

Results A total of 35 patients (34.29% female) with a mean age of 56.06 years ± 18.44 were included. The mean number of days with PNN was 4.43 ± 2.70, and only 1 patient received PNN for more than 10 days. The patients recruited had the following underlying diseases: intestinal inflammation (28.57%), dysphagia (25.71%), pancreatitis (20%), intestinal perforation (8.57%), achalasia (8.57%), intestinal obstruction (5.71%), and others (2.86%). The main reasons for a discontinuation of PNN were a change to central line PN (65.71%) and the onset of oral tolerance (34.29%). Of the total number of patients (n=35), the following PNN-associated complications were recorded: phlebitis (n=14, 40%), affecting up to 60% of users with PNN for more than 5 days, and extravasation, which was reported in 9 patients (28,57%).

Conclusion and Relevance Most patients in our cohort received PNN for the duration recommended by international guidelines. In addition, a higher incidence of phlebitis was observed in those patients who continued PNN for more than 5 days.

Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest