The advent of parenteral nutrition techniques by Dudrick et al. (1968) has enabled the long-term survival of persons who would otherwise be unable to meet the nutritional needs necessary to sustain life. The Broviac catheter and subsequent modifications made it possible to continue such therapy on an ambulatory basis. Basic principles of parenteral nutrition including solution formulas, central catheter maintenance, potential complications and psychosocial implications are discussed. The primary health care provider plays a vital role in the continuing care of such patients after discharge and constitutes an essential part of the home parenteral nutrition team.