Preoperative administration of Omega-3 fatty acids on postoperative pain and acute-phase reactants in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The term "Immunonutrition" (IMN) describes the enteral administration of certain substrates with a theoretical immunomodulating function. From all the elements conforming these IMN formulas, Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) are hypothesized to be the most important component for immunomodulation, with increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized clinical trial of all the patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: those patients receiving a preoperative balanced energy high-protein formula (Control Group) and those ones who received the same preoperative nutritional formula enriched with O3FA (Experimental Group). In both groups, there was a restriction to 900 Kcal/day. Nutritional intervention started 10 days before surgery and was maintained up to 8 h before the surgical act. Preoperative weight loss, postoperative pain, complications and acute phase reactants were investigated.

RESULTS: 40 patients were included in the study, 20 in each group. Preoperative excess weight loss (EWL) with the prescribed treatment was 10.6 ± 7.7% in Control Group and 14.1 ± 5.8% in the Experimental Group (p = 0.024). Mean postoperative pain was 25 ± 9.2 mm in Control group and 10,9 ± 4,4 mm in Experimental Group (p = 0.015). CRP determined 24 h after surgery was significantly lower in the Experimental Group than in the Control Group. There were not significant differences in complications, mortality or readmission rates between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a nutritional supplement enriched with O3FA is associated with a greater preoperative weight loss, reduced postoperative pain and decreased postoperative levels of C reactive protein.