[Three cases of perioperative anaphylaxis identified by using skin-prick tests]

We encountered three cases of perioperative anaphylaxis identified by using skin-prick tests. [Case 1] A 43-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy under general anesthesia for gastric tumor. However, the procedure was cancelled because of anaphylaxis that was noted at the beginning of the surgery. We performed a skin-prick test and observed a positive reaction with ro- curonium. [Case 2] A 79-year-old man underwent laparoscopic colon resection under general anesthesia for colon cancer. Anaphylaxis was noted at the end of surgery. We performed a skin-prick test and observed a positive reaction with sugammadex. [Case 3] A 44-year-old woman underwent myomectomy under general anesthesia for a uterine fibroid. Anaphylaxis was noted approximately 10 minutes after the beginning of surgery. We performed a skin-prick test and noted a positive reaction with latex. It is difficult to identify the reason for anaphylaxis during surgery under general anesthesia because various agents may be responsible for the anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis during surgery is a rare but life-threatening event and it is important to identify the causative agent for anaphylaxis.