Total parenteral nutrition induced Wernicke’s encephalopathy after oncological gastrointestinal surgery
TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION INDUCED WERNICKE’S ENCEPHALOPATHY AFTER ONCOLOGICAL GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY
Carl Wernicke described the disease bearing his
name in 1881 and reported three cases characterized by the
presence of mental confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia.
Wernicke’s disease is mainly observed in alcoholic patients,
due to decreased vitamin intake as a consequence of an
unbalanced diet, and a reduction of absorption due to the
effects of alcohol. Likewise, inadequate vitamin intake is