The Journal of hospital infection
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Surgical site infection (SSI) after colorectal surgery is the leading cause of postoperative morbidity. Opioids induce immunosuppression through activation of μ-opioid receptors expressed on leucocytes, and through opioid withdrawal. A high dose of opioid administered as remifentanil during surgery may induce immunosuppression, leading to the development of SSI. ⋯ Remifentanil-based anaesthesia increased the incidence of SSI. A possible reason may be opioid-induced immunosuppression or opioid withdrawal-induced immunosuppression.