A retrospective analysis was conducted on 74 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were treated with intravenous hyperalimentation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between the years 1967-1976. Intravenous hyperalimentation can ameliorate the inevitable protein-calorie malnutrition present in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Combined with complete bowel rest, intravenous hyperalimentation can effectively function as the primary treatment or as an adjunct to the surgical management of the complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Intravenous hyperalimentation can be safely administered to these severely ill patients, almost certainly improving survival rates in the patients treated.