[Can fish oil improve wound healing in surgery?]

A surgical insult induces both local and systemic inflammatory responses which, if inappropriate, could impair wound healing. According to many studies ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil improve the process of wound healing by their immunomodulatory effect. In contrast to current anti-inflammatory drugs, which could alter immune defence and impair the resolution of inflammation, ω-3 fatty acids have a simultaneous anti-inflammatory pro-resolution effect which is not immunosuppressive. Besides that they improve cicatrix quality. With regard to this effect they prevent excessive or prolonged inflammation and wound complications.

anti-inflammatory agent - cicatrix - fish oil - macrophage - ω-3 fatty acid - resolution of inflammation - Toll-like receptor - wound healing.