The "shoulder-hand syndrome" or pain in the shoulder or arm is an extremely vital subject for the multi-disciplinary approach and usually re quires more than one speciality for complete evaluation. The proceedings of this symposium - organized by the department of general surgery of the University of Limburg - cover the field thoroughly with contributions from outstanding specialists from all over the world. Rheumatological, neuro surgical, orthopedic, and traumatological aspects are covered. Vascular surgeons considering both venous and arterial problems entwine with thoracic surgeons to review the thoracic outlet problem. Establishing a diagnosis in this multi-disciplinary field is extremely important and encom passes a combination of disciplines including neurology, orthopedics, sur gery, and physical medicine. Likewise, the role of each contributing factor must be assessed when multiple sources were responsible for pain. In addition to adequate diagnosis, it is important to institute the appropriate therapy and to establish the proper priority and timing of such therapies. The follow-up techniques particularly regarding thoracic outlet syndrome are extremely important to provide an objective basis for evaluation. Although many advances have been made in the field of objective diagnosis and therapy, there still is a great deal of overlap and confusion which has to be clarified. Professor Greep and his organizing committee have done a wonderful job in composing a program covering all aspects of this field. They are to be congratulated on bringing us a "timely current status" report on pain in the shoulder and arm."

J. E. Fischer, M.D. Professor Greep, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure for me and the participants to be present at this International Meeting of Parenteral Nutri tion. This meeting would not have been possible five years ago. At that time we were still arguing about central vs. peripheral routes, efficacy of the tech nique, and still getting accustomed to our ability to support patients nutri tionally. Within the last five years these discussions, which seem almost futile in retrospect, have been put aside. Both techniques, we know how, work quite well and have their own indications. Having become comfortable with the technique, it is now time to enter the second phase of parenteral nutrition, and that is the differentiation of the technique for the benefit of different patients. Over the next two days we will be discussing several problems which at the present time are central to the entire subject of parenteral nutrition. Is a fat calorie the same as a carbo hydrate calorie? What is the effect on protein metabolism of the fat calorie as opposed to the carbohydrate calorie? Are they equivalent? Are'there situations in which one is superior to the other? Perhaps we will find out tomorrow in the panel."