Between August 1980 and October 1990 we treated 36 patients with home total parenteral nutrition (HTPN) with a cumulative treatment duration of 92 years. They included 14 females and 22 males ranging in age from newborn to 75 years, with a mean of 38 +/- 21. The 4 commonest indications for HTPN were short bowel syndrome (mainly due to mesenteric occlusion (50%), inflammatory bowel disease 14%), motility disorders (14%) and malabsorption (11%). All-in-one nutritional mixtures utilizing the big-bag technique were used for all patients. Broviac or Hickman catheters were implanted in 35 patients and an infusion port in 2. Infusions were administered during the night for 8-12 hours with a volumetric pump. 14 patients are still receiving HTPN (39%) while in 8 it was discontinued as they can maintain their nutritional status by the gastrointestinal route (22%). 14 patients have died (39%), 3 from HTPN-related causes (2 of sepsis and 1 of liver failure). Catheter-related sepsis was 0.42/year of HTPN. Other common complications were metabolic bone disease, deranged liver function and cholecystolithiasis. 80% were able to return to work, school, or housekeeping activities, or at least to take care of themselves and cope with HTPN unaided. Social rehabilitation was full or partial in 72% and only 29% were house-bound and needed major assistance. Patients with a poor life quality tended to be older and suffer from intestinal diseases as a manifestation of a systemic disorder, such as atherosclerosis or malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)