Successful management of anaphylactic shock prior to elective cesarean delivery: a case report

Anaphylactic cardiovascular collapse is complicated by aortocaval compression during pregnancy, exacerbated by neuraxial anesthesia. Despite recommendations to administer perioperative antibiotics before anesthesia, common practice in Japan involves administering them after anesthesia induction. We report a case of possible antibiotics-induced anaphylaxis just before anesthesia for cesarean delivery.

A 24-year-old woman at 37 weeks of gestation presented for a scheduled repeat cesarean under spinal anesthesia. After starting administration of cefazolin prior to anesthesia, she developed anaphylactic symptoms. Hypotension refractory to adrenaline necessitated conversion to an emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia. A neonate was delivered with favorable Apgar scores. Post-delivery, the mother's hemodynamics stabilized significantly. Elevated plasma tryptase confirmed anaphylaxis. Both mother and infant were discharged without further complications.

This case emphasizes the importance of administering prophylactic antibiotic before anesthesia in mitigating severity of shock induced by anaphylaxis and the crucial role of prompt emergency cesarean in achieving successful outcomes.