Objective To observe the effects of parenteral nutrition (PN) containing ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs) on postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients with obstructive jaundice. Methods Totally 40 patients with obstructive jaundice who underwent hepatobiliary surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College from June 2008 to October 2009 were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into the conventional PN group and PUFAs group with 20 cases in each group. The conventional PN group was provided with medium-chain/long-chain triglycerides lipid emulsion, while the PUFAs group was provided with medium-chain/long-chain triglycerides lipid emulsion supplemented with ω-3PUFAs. The two groups received PN support with equal nitrogen content and calories for 9 days. The non-protein caloric value given was 117.15 kJ/(kg · d) with 0.2 g/(kg · d) of nitrogen. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-c) in serum were measured on the day before operation and on the postoperative day 1,3, 5, 7, and 9. Meanwhile, the incidences of SIRS and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) were analyzed. Results The levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α on the postoperative day 3, 5, 7, and 9 were significantly lower in the PUFAs group than those in the conventional PN group ( all P ＜ 0.05). The duration of SIRS in the PUFAs group [(3.85 ±2.36) days] was significantly shorter than that in the conventional PN group [(5.31 ±1.47 ) days, P =0.0230]. The incidence of MODS was significantly lower in the PUFAs group ( 10％ ) than that in the conventional PN group (25％, P =0.0076). Conclusions ω-3PUFAs-supplemented PN improves the functions of liver and pancreas and alleviates acute inflammatory response in patients with obstructive jaundice.