Despite advances in the design and care of in-dwelling catheters, sepsis remains a significant problem in patients on long-term parenteral nutrition. 1 In recent years there have been a number of reports concerning the successful use of totally implanted subcutaneous venous access devices in the management of patients requiring long-term intermittent intravenous administration of cytotoxic therapy and frequent blood sampling. 2 The use of such a system for the administration of supplementary home parenteral nutrition in a patient with short-bowel syndrome is reported.