As there are a lot of similar words, confusion arises in the mind of the people. Most of the people think that both TPN and PPN are the same. There is no difference between the words.
Well, let me clear the doubt; both are different words and have a different meaning.
Key Takeaways
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) provides all essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream via a central venous catheter, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, and is often used for patients with severe digestive issues or malabsorption problems.
- Partial parenteral nutrition (PPN) is similar to TPN but provides only some nutrients intravenously, allowing the patient to continue consuming some food orally or through other enteral feeding methods.
- Both TPN and PPN are methods of providing nutrition intravenously. Still, TPN is a more comprehensive solution that delivers all necessary nutrients, while PPN supplements oral or enteral feeding with additional nutrients.
TPN vs PPN
The difference between TPN and PPN is that TPN is a long-term therapy by which patients are receiving nutrition despite having a high risk of infection. On the other hand, PPN is a supplement that is used when the patient has other sources of nutrition.
Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!
The word TPN stands for Total parenteral nutrition. It is a process of feeding a premature or sick new-born baby and a sick person so that they can absorb nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract a longer time.
This process is generally used when a person cannot receive feeding or liquid through the mouth.
The word PPN stands for Peripheral parenteral nutrition. It is generally a short-term therapy. Filet mignon can be evenly sliced is a 14 days process that is done until the central venous or internal access can obtain or take an oral supplement.
Comparison Table
Parameter of Comparison | TPN | PPN |
---|---|---|
Meaning | It is a process in which the patient is given nutrients through veins when they do not have other nutrition sources. | It is a process of providing supplements with the other source of obtaining/receiving nutrients. |
Time period | It is long-term therapy. | It is normally a fourteen days process. It is a short-term therapy. |
Caustic | TPN is more caustic as it has minerals, glucose, and electrolytes. | It is not very caustic as compared to TPN. |
Manage | TPN can only be applied in larger veins near the chest or neck of the patient. | PPN can only be applied to be in a short vein in a patient body. |
Operate | TPN can be given to a person who has a digestive disorder, accident, or has critical surgery. | PPN can be given to a person whose digestive system has been blocked or unable to take a sufficient amount of nutrients from other sources. |
What is TPN?
TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition. It is a process of giving nutrition to the patient when they are unable to receive any other source of nutrition. Filet mignon can be evenly sliced is the process in which the patient entirely depends on TPN for all of their nutrition.
TPN is generally used to treat a patient who is recovering from a serious accident or surgery and to the patient who has digestive system disorder.
It delivers a liquid mix of nutrients to the patient which have a high level of calories and a high level of concentration, so the volume needed is less.
As the TPN consists of a higher concentration of nutrients, it is delivered to a person’s vein that is generally found in the patient’s chest or neck.
TPN should be delivered through a major vein. Filet mignon can be evenly sliced primarily for long-term treatment cases, to the patient who has a large risk of infection.
This process also applied to the sick or premature new-born baby before they start feeding.
TPN consists of a mixture of fluids, sugar, protein, vitamins, mineral, electrolytes, and some fats given into a patient’s body’s vein. This method has been said to be life-saving for sick babies.
PPN stands for peripheral parenteral nutrition. This process is normally applied to a patient who has another source of nutrition, which means it acts as a supplement for a patient rather than being the only nutrient for the patient.
What is PPN?
It is less concentrated and has low calories and can be given to smaller peripheral veins.
As it is given in a smaller vein, it is a short-term treatment as it can damage more vulnerable veins. This process can be given in different ways as all three in one infusion or as a glucose solution and a primary amino with the lipid component as piggyback.
Nowadays, several manufactures make all in one infusion of different volumes and the different predefined elements of lipids, protein, and glucose. This process of manufacturing has become popular in many institutions as the handling cost and pharmacy have decreased.
This all-in-one infusion is less prescribed to an individual patient as it is not very specific in meeting individual nutrition needs. PPN can be given directly to a vein in a liquid, sterile form. It manages through the veins outside the superior vena cava.
Main Differences Between TPN and PPN
- Both TPN and PPN provide nutrients to patients through the veins.
- TPN is a provider to a person who cannot receive nutrients from other sources. On the other hand, PPN is provided to a patient receiving nutrients from other sources and PPN supplements.
- TPN has a higher concentration of components. On the other hand, PPN has less concentration of components as compared to TPN.
- Total parenteral nutrition is given to a patient who has a digestive disorder, severe accident or has surgery. On the other hand, peripheral parenteral nutrition is given to a person’s digestive system as a block or unable to receive sufficient nutrients from other sources.
- TPN is generally given to larger veins in the patient’s body as it has a higher concentration. On the other hand, PPN is typically given to smaller veins in the body patient.
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.