[Progress of enteral nutrition].

Intravenous hyperalimentation and enteral nutrition are the main surgical nutrition methods. IVH play an active role in therapeutic nutrition, although made rapid progress has been made in enteral nutrition, resulting in its wide clinical application. Branched-chain amino acids are useful in improving the nitrogen balance in patients who have undergone major surgical procedures or significant stress. Furthermore, their superiority over a mixed oral protein diet in patients with hepatic encephalopathy has been confirmed clinically. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are an important energy source. Their advantages include easy absorbtion by the intestinal mucosa, lack of stimulation of insulin excretion, and suppression of the reticuloendothelial system. However, the ratio of long-chain triglyceride (LCT) to MCT should be evaluated in many cases. EPA can prevent various adult diseases. Many nutrients contain EPA and it is clinically used both enterally and parenterally. Glutamine is effective in the repair of small intestinal mucosal damage, since it suppresses bacterial translocation, effects of growth hormone, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and nucleic acid on nutritional status are being evaluated clinically. Home enteral nutrition (HEN) has become more common in the past five years although close, cooperation between medical staff and the family is necessary its success.