Total parenteral nutrition--progress with the 3-litre bag.

Recently a disposable 3-litre plastic bag in which the 24-hour nutrient requirements for total parenteral nutrition can be mixed to provide a single solution was introduced to South Africa. We report our initial experience with the 3-litre bag (379 'catheter days'), comparing it with the conventional multiple-bottle system (267 days) in a series of 10 patients. The 3-litre bag system proved easier to administer and also reduced nursing supervision, improved metabolic control and reduced complications. In particular, the control of blood sugar levels in glucose-intolerant patients was significantly better. The 3-litre bag appears to be a major advance in the field of parenteral nutrition, resulting in improved patient care and management.