[Allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions in the perioperative period]

Most drugs or infusions are potent inducers of allergic or pseudoallergic reactions. During the perioperative period the patient is usually on multiple medication. Thus, life-threatening reactions can be expected. In this publication these adverse reactions are considered from an allergological point of view. A review of the literature is given. Four case reports point out the variety of possible allergens, the difficulties in definite causal identification and the necessity of referring the patient to an allergological work-up.