Anaesthesia and the patient with latex allergy

Reports of severe life-threatening anaphylaxis to latex are increasing. A case of latex anaphylaxis occurring during surgery is reported. Sudden cardiorespiratory collapse 25 min after the start of surgery was treated with oxygen, fluid, epinephrine, hydrocortisone, and benadryl. Two months later, skin testing to latex was positive but intradermal testing to the drugs used during anaesthesia was negative. Anaesthetists should be aware of this clinical entity. Latex allergy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraoperative anaphylaxis. Fortunately, it is usually preventable by obtaining a positive history, recognising that it occurs in particular subsets of patients and by avoiding latex products. Skin testing to latex is available and may assist in the recognition of latex sensitivity.