[Peri-anaesthetic anaphylactic shock: myths and facts]

Peri-anaesthetic anaphylactic shock is a fortunately rare event, which nevertheless often turns out to be life-threatening. Only fast recognition and reaction can permit to avoid its sometimes dramatic consequences. This implies, from the anaesthetist, good knowledge of the mechanisms, of the events'sequence, of the usual triggering drugs and, of course, of the anaphylactic shock's treatment. After such an accident has occured the patient should be referred to an allergy specialist in order to perform a thorough exploration, thus pointing out which drug is responsible for the reaction, and by which mechanism. Drugs to be banished in the future would so be identified and should be taken to the patient's as well as his general practician's knowledge.