Enteral vs. parenteral nutrition

Artificial nutrition in critically ill patients aims to mitigate body substance loss and is an important prerequisite for recovery after critical illness. The individual situation-related requirements and the utilisation of the offered substrates are basics of a balanced nutritional support. Over- and underfeeding have to be avoided. The route of delivery of nutritional support does not affect outcome in case of correct indication and avoidance of metabolic imbalances. However, physiological enteral feeding is preferred. Parenteral nutrition is an alternative or complementary method in patients with contraindications for enteral feeding or even insufficient enteral food intake.