Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Short-term treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) appears to be associated with a reduced risk for developing postoperative complications, decreased inflammatory cytokines, and a shortened hospital stay after surgery for colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the journal OncoTargets and Therapy.¹

Because previous meta-analyses including all kinds of surgical patients have suggested that omega-3 PUFAs improved clinical outcomes, researchers sought to determine the influence of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in  patients who have undergo colorectal cancer surgery. For this meta-analysis, investigators analyzed data from 694 patients with colorectal cancer included in 11 studies.

Results showed patients who received omega-3 PUFA-enriched enteral or parenteral nutrition during the perioperative period had a 37% reduced risk for developing infectious complications compared with controls (relative risk [RR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47-0.86; P =.004). Investigators also found that patients who received omega-3 PUFA-enriched nutrition had reduced inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (P =.01) and interleukin-6 (P =.01).

Patients in the omega-3 PUFA group had a shorter hospital stay of approximately 2 days on average (P =.01); however, investigators observed no significant difference in total complications, surgical site infection, or CD4+ to CD8+ cell ratio.

Although this study suggests that inclusion of omega-3 PUFAs in enteral or parenteral nutrition during the perioperative period improves outcomes for this population, this study is limited by its relatively small sample size and heterogeneity across the trials assessed. Therefore, a larger study with longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results and determine the optimal timing and route of administration of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in this setting.