Outcomes with perioperative fat emulsions containing omega-3 fatty acid: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Purpose: Results of a meta-analysis of data from clinical studies comparing patient outcomes and hospital length of stay (LOS) in surgical patients receiving fish oil (FO)-containing i.v. fat emulsions (IVFEs) versus non-FO-containing IVFEs are presented.

Methods: Computerized searches of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Coch rane CENTRAL databases were performed in August 2014 to identify English-language articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FO-containing and non-FO-containing IVFEs in adult surgical patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Selected articles were analyzed for methodological and publication bias and study heterogeneity (I² statistic).

Results: Data from 19 RCTs (total n = 1,167) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with use of non-FO-containing IVFEs (products based in soybean oil [SO], medium-chain triglycerides, or olive oil), use of FO-containing IVFEs was associated with reduced infectious morbidity (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.65; p < 0.0001; I² = 0%); the effect size was greatest for FO-containing versus SO-based IVFEs. Relative to use of SO-based IVFEs, use of FO-containing IVFEs was associated with a significant reduction in hospital LOS (weighted mean difference, -2.70 days; 95% CI, -3.60 to -1.79 days; p < 0.00001; I² = 0%).

Conclusion: The results of the meta-analysis indicated that FO-containing IVFEs could improve infectious morbidity and LOS. The overall effect of reducing infectious morbidity and LOS was found to be the greatest in comparison with the SO-based IVFEs.

Keywords: fat emulsions; fatty acids; fish oils; general surgery; intravenous; omega-3; operative; perioperative care; surgical procedures.