[Anaphylactoid accidents during general anesthesia. Apropos of 55 cases]

Analysis of fifty-five anaphylactoid accidents during general anesthesia (GA) in fifty patients shows significant female predominance (70%), relatively frequent allergic predisposition (34% as compared to 14.3% in a normal population) and fairly frequent responsibility of suxamethonium and succinylcholine. One or more, even recent, previous GAs do not seem to enhance the risk. 50% of intradermal skin tests to different anesthetics were negative, 40% were positive and consistent with clinical history, and 10% were positive but inconsistent clinically. Biological tests (basophil degranulation, lymphoblast rosettes, in vitro consumption of complement) were negative. Physiopathological mechanisms remain uncertain, whether they involve IgE allergy or complement activation. The frequency and severity of these unpredictable accidents must stimulate clinical and biological research in this field.