Are urologists prepared for latex-allergic patients?

To determine how prepared operating departments are to manage latex-allergic patients, and particularly urologists, because the highest incidence of latex allergy occurs in patients with spina bifida who undergo frequent urological procedures.

A standard questionnaire about the provision of latex-free equipment within operating theatres was completed by the 72 hospitals surveyed (33 district general, 27 teaching, six children's and six private hospitals).

Anaesthetic latex-free equipment was available in five of the children's hospitals, 56% of the teaching hospitals, 45% of the district general hospitals and two of the private hospitals. A latex-free catheter only was provided in two of the children's hospitals, 30% of the teaching hospitals and 12% of the district general hospitals. In addition, one of the children's hospitals and one of the private hospitals had a comprehensive range of urological latex-free equipment available.

This survey shows that many hospitals are inadequately prepared to manage latex-allergic patients, because they lack anaesthetic and urological latex-free equipment.