Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

An In Vivo Mouse Model of Total Intravenous Anesthesia During Cancer Resection Surgery
06:40

An In Vivo Mouse Model of Total Intravenous Anesthesia During Cancer Resection Surgery

Published on: June 8, 2021

3.0K

Remifentanil-based anaesthesia increases the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection

T Inagi1, M Suzuki1, M Osumi1

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Musashikosugi Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Kanagawa, Japan.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|December 6, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Remifentanil anesthesia during colorectal surgery significantly increases surgical site infection (SSI) risk compared to fentanyl. This may be due to opioid-induced immunosuppression, highlighting a critical factor in postoperative care.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Surgical site infection (SSI) is a primary cause of morbidity following colorectal surgery.
  • Opioids, particularly remifentanil, may induce immunosuppression via μ-opioid receptors and withdrawal, potentially increasing SSI risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of remifentanil anesthesia on the incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 286 adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery (2009-2012).
  • Propensity score matching was used to compare patients receiving remifentanil versus fentanyl anesthesia (235 patients initially, 61 pairs after matching).

Main Results:

  • Before matching, SSI incidence was higher with remifentanil (11.6%) than fentanyl (3.4%), P=0.03.
  • After propensity matching, SSI incidence remained significantly higher with remifentanil (16.4%) compared to fentanyl (3.3%), P=0.029.

Conclusions:

  • Remifentanil-based anesthesia is associated with an increased incidence of SSI after colorectal surgery.
  • Opioid-induced immunosuppression or withdrawal-induced immunosuppression are potential mechanisms for this increased risk.
Keywords:
ImmunosuppressionRemifentanilSurgical site infection

More Related Videos

Implantation of Electroencephalogram and Electrocardiogram Telemetry Devices in Neonatal Rabbit Kits06:46

Implantation of Electroencephalogram and Electrocardiogram Telemetry Devices in Neonatal Rabbit Kits

Published on: February 28, 2025

929
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
975
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
1.2K
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
1.0K
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
1.7K
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy01:26

Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy

Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
1.2K