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Updated: May 16, 2026

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Failure to investigate anaesthetic anaphylaxis resulting in a preventable second anaphylactic reaction
A F Pedersen1, S Green, M A Rose
1Department of Anaesthesia, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
We present a case of anaphylaxis to suxamethonium and/or vecuronium in a patient who had previously suffered an anaphylactic reaction, presumably to rocuronium. The patient had not been referred for formal allergy testing after the first anaphylactic reaction. Subsequent formal allergy testing revealed sensitivities to suxamethonium, rocuronium and vecuronium. Her next anaesthetic, using cisatracurium, was uneventful. It is recommended that all patients with suspected perioperative anaphylaxis are referred for testing. This is the responsibility of the anaesthetist. Particular caution should be used with suspected neuromuscular blocking drug allergy as cross-reactivity is common and not predictable by drug structure.
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