Latex allergy: an unfamiliar cause of intra-operative cardiovascular collapse

We describe severe latex allergy in an 8-year-old girl undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery and anaesthesia. Sudden, profound cardiorespiratory collapse occurred 40 min after induction. During the 1 h period of resuscitation the child required a total of 14.5 ml adrenaline 1 in 10,000. A subsequent latex radioallergosorbent test was very strongly positive. Two weeks later the child presented again for surgery. Neoprene surgical gloves were used and all latex products eliminated from the anaesthetic equipment. Latex contact was strictly avoided during drug preparation and administration. This time the intra-operative course was uneventful.