Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Epigenetics, inflammation and postoperative complications: a scoping review
Authors' conclusion
DNA methylation and histone modifications are less researched epigenetic mechanisms in perioperative inflammation.
Study context
- Population
- Studies investigating postoperative complications alongside epigenetic mechanisms and inflammationarticles included
- Participants
- 26 participants
Methodological detailsprospectively registered protocol, dual independent screening, Medline and Embase searched, English, 1946–2025; 15 451 records screened
- Prospectively registered protocol
- Dual independent screening
- Medline and Embase searched, English, 1946–2025; 15 451 records screened
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Studies published between 2016 and 2025
- Cardiac surgery investigated most often, followed by general and colorectal surgery; several specialities not represented
- Most studies investigated microRNA mechanisms (small number of microRNAs, ≤8, or whole transcriptome)
- DNA methylation and histone modifications investigated less commonly
- Complications variably defined; most studies focused on few complications
- Inflammation heterogeneously assessed, mostly C-reactive protein and/or interleukin-6; others broader proteomic approaches
Original publication
Epigenetics, inflammation and postoperative complications: a scoping review. Br J Anaesth. Published 6 August 2026. doi:10.
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