Gh. Burrow et al., LATEX ALLERGY IN NON-SPINA BIFIDA PATIENTS - UNFAMILIAR INTRAOPERATIVE ANAPHYLAXIS, Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery, 68(3), 1998, pp. 183-185
Background: The medical literature has described the prevalence of lat
ex allergy in the spina bifida population and its implications for sur
gical intervention. We report three cases of severe and unexpected int
ra-operative anaphylaxis secondary to latex exposure in non-spina bifi
da patients. Methods: A retrospective review of case notes identified
three non-spina bifida patients who suffered intra-operative anaphylax
is due to latex allergy. Personal and telephone interview and patient
chart review was performed to detail a past history of multiple latex
exposure, atopy, the anaphylaxis event and the postoperative outcome.
Results: Three non-spina bifida patients are described. One suffered a
cardiopulmonary arrest, the remaining two patients had severe vascula
r hypotension and airway resistance that was only relieved after admin
istration of vasoconstrictors and bronchodilators. Postoperatively, al
l three tested strongly positive to latex allergen testing. Each patie
nt had a history of multiple surgical latex exposure and specific alle
rgies or allergic-type symptoms pre-operatively.Conclusion: We believe
that the predictors of a severe allergic reaction to latex with surgi
cal exposure in non-spina bifida patients may be similar to those pred
ictors known in the spina bifida population. Identification of such at
-risk patients will reduce the risk of significant intra-operative mor
bidity and possible mortality by the introduction of a latex-free oper
ating environment.