Table 1 Indications for parenteral and enteral nutrition

• Short bowel

• Chronic intestinal obstruction because of GIT¹ cancer

• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction with food intolerance

• Gastrointestinal fistula

• Bowel obstruction

• Intestinal dysmotility

• Prolonged bowel rest

• Severe malnutrition, significant weight loss and/or hypoproteinemia when enteral therapy is not possible

• Other disease states or conditions in which oral or enteral feeding are not an option

• Neurologic diseases with dysphagia: stroke, motor neuron disease, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, head trauma

• Malignant obstruction: head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer

• Benign esophageal stricture

• Acute diseases with hypermetabolism: critically ill patients, severe burns, severe acute pancreatitis, cirrhosis

• Chronic diseases with hypermetabolism: oncological diseases, chronic lung diseases

• Anorexia nervosa, limited oral feeding owing to psychiatric conditions