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Intraoperative anaphylaxis after irrigation with bacitracin: case report
P A Netland1, J E Baumgartner, B T Andrews
1Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
Neurosurgery
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Anaphylaxis occurred during surgery due to bacitracin irrigation. Patients with prior bacitracin exposure should avoid this antibiotic in surgical irrigation solutions.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neurosurgery
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Bacitracin is an antibiotic commonly used topically and sometimes in surgical irrigation.
- Previous systemic exposure to bacitracin can lead to sensitization.
Observation:
- A patient developed anaphylaxis during a lumbar laminectomy procedure.
- The anaphylactic reaction was attributed to the use of bacitracin solution for irrigation.
Findings:
- The patient had a history of prior exposure to bacitracin during an anterior cervical discectomy.
- This case highlights a potential hypersensitivity reaction to bacitracin in a surgical setting.
Implications:
- Avoid using bacitracin irrigation solutions in patients with a history of systemic bacitracin exposure.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for potential allergic reactions to antibiotics used during surgery.
- Consider alternative irrigation solutions for patients with known bacitracin sensitivity.