Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Perioperative Anaphylaxis

  • Anaphylaxis (M Sanchez-Borges, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Allergy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of the review

Perioperative anaphylaxis is a severe, systemic hypersensitivity reaction of rapid onset, that is generally unpredictable, may be life-threatening, and occurs after the use of different drugs, substances, or stimuli during an anesthetic or surgical procedure.

Recent findings

The potential causes of reactions during procedures depend on the moment it occurs. In the induction phase, neuromuscular blockers, intravenous antibiotics, and opioids should be considered. During the procedure, along with antibiotics and opioids, other causes include local anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), contrast media, clorhexidin, and latex. In the recovery phase, the most common agents are latex and medications which reverse anesthesia effects. Recently, sugammadex has been discovered to be an important causal agent.

Summary

Early onset of treatment is essential in anaphylaxis and could prevent complications or death. The management is the same in all ages following the accepted protocols for the management of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline is the treatment of choice. A complete review of the clinical and perioperative history is essential before any procedure in patients with prior anaphylaxis. It is recommended that surgeons and anesthesiologists communicate each other their concerns and ask the allergist if there is a doubt about an allergic reaction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. López González JM, García Paz V, Gómez Jiménez M, et al. Perioperative anaphylaxis. Cir May Amb. 2013, 2;18.

  2. •• Hsu K, Hepner DL. Current knowledge and management of hypersensitivity to perioperative drugs and radiocontrast media. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(3):587–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2017.03.016 Excellent paper on the management approach of perioperative anaphylaxis.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Régnier Galvão V, Giavina-Bianchi P, Castells M. Perioperative anaphylaxis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(8):452–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-014-0452-6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Simons FE, Ardusso LR, Bilò MB, World Allergy Organization, et al. 2012 update: World Allergy Organization guidelines for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;12:389–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Dhami S, Panesar SS, Roberts G, Muraro A, Worm M, Bilò MB, et al. Management of anaphylaxis: a systematic review. Allergy. 2014;69(2):168–75.

  6. • Jares E. Reactions to drugs used in anesthesiology. In: Drug Hypersensitivity. Editorial Médica Panamericana. 2017, pp.18–19. This reference provides a complete and comprehensive review of important periopeative hypersensitivity causal agents.

  7. Mertes PM, et al. Epidemiology of perioperative anaphylaxis. Presse Med. 2016Sep;45(9):758–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.02.024.

  8. Dong SW, Mertes PM, Petitpain N, Hasdenteufel F, Malinovsky JM, Gerap. Hypersensitivity reactions during anesthesia. Results from the ninth French survey (2005–2007). Minerva Anestesiol. 2012;78:868–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Volcheck GW, Mertes PM. Local and general anesthetics immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Immunol Allergy Clin N Am. 2014;34:525–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ogle OE, Mahjoubi G. Local anesthesia: agents, techniques and complications. Dent Clin N Am. 2012;56(1):133–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Michavila Gomez AV, Belver Gonzalez MT, Alvarez NC, Giner Muñoz MT, Hernando Sastre V, Porto Arceo JA, et al. Perioperative anaphylactic reactions. Review and procedure protocol in paediatrics. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2015;43(2):203–14.

  12. McNeil BD, Pundir P, Meeker S, Han L, Undem BJ, Kulka M, et al. Identification of a mast cell-specific receptor crucial for pseudo-allergic drug reactions. Nature. 2015;519:237–41. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14022.

  13. Takazawa T, Mitsuhata H, Mertes PM. Sugammadex and rocuronium-induced anaphylaxis. J Anesth. 2015;30(2):290–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-015-2105-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. •• Volcheck GW, Hepner DL. Identification and management of perioperative anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7(7):2134–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2019.05.033 This article provides valuable up to date information regarding awareness and optimal treatment for perioperative anaphylaxis.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Mertes PM, Volcheck GW. Anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blocking drugs: all neuromuscular blocking drugs are not the same. Anesthesiology. 2015;122(1):5–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Miyazaki Y, Sunaga H, Kida K, Hobo S, Inoue N, Muto M, et al. Incidence of anaphylaxis associated with sugammadex. Anesth Analg. 2018;126:1505–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. •• Min KC, Woo T, Assaid C, McCrea J, et al. Incidence of hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis with sugammadex. J Clin Anesth. 2018;47:67–73 This article describes up and coming hypersensitivity reactions to recently identifed agent, sugammadex.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Savic LC, Garcez T, Hopkins PM, Harper NJN, Savic S. Teicoplanin allergy— an emerging problem in the anaesthetic allergy clinic. Br J Anaesth. 2015;115:595–600. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aev307.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Misbah SA, Krishna MT. Perioperative anaphylaxis- an investigational challenge. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Opstrup MS, Malling HJ, Kroigaard M, et al. Standardised testing with chlorhexidine in perioperative allergy—a large single-centre evaluation. Allergy. 2014;69:1390–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12466.

  21. Spoerl D, Jandus P, Harr T. Pitfalls and peculiarities in chlorhexidine allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016;4:991–2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2016.03.017.

  22. Lasa EM, Gonzalez C, Garcia-Lirio E, Martinez S, Arroabarren E, Gamboa PM. Anaphylaxis caused by immediate hypersensitivity to topical chlorhexidine in children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;118:118–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2016.10.013.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Anderson J, Rose M, Green S, Fernando SL. The utility of specific IgE testing to chlorhexidine in the investigation of peri-operative adverse reactions. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;114:417–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2015.02.002.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Krishna MT, York M, Chin T, Gnanakumaran G, Heslegrave J, Derbridge C, et al. Multicentre retrospective analysis of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia in the United Kingdom: aetiology and diagnostic performance of acute serum tryptase. Clin Exp Immunol. 2014;178:399–404. https://doi.org/10.1111/cei.12424.

  25. Kannan JA, Bernstein JA. Perioperative anaphylaxis diagnosis, evaluation, and management. Immunol Allergy Clin N Am. 2015;35(2):321–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iac.2015.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Chacko T, Ledford D. Peri-anesthetic anaphylaxis. Immunol Allergy Clin N Am. 2007;27(2):213–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iac.2007.03.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Adriaensens I, Vercauteren I, Soetens M, et al. Allergic reactions during labour analgesia and caesarean section anaesthesia. Int J Obstet Anesth. 2013;22:231–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoa.2013.04.010.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. González-Díaz SN, Arias Cruz A, Monge Ortega OP. Reacciones adversas inmunitarias y no inmunitarias a fármacos de uso perioperatorio. Rev Alerg Mex. 2019;66(1):99–114.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hepner D, Castells M. Anaphylaxis during the perioperative period. Anesth Analg. 2003;97(5):1381–95. https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ANE.0000082993.84883.7D.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Dewachter P, Mouton-Faivre C, Emala CW. Anaphylaxis and anesthesia: controversies and new insights. Anesthesiology. 2009;111:1141–50. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181bbd443.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Nel L, Efrem E. Peri-operative anaphylaxis. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2011;71(5):647–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.03913.x PMID: 21235622; PMCID: PMC3093071.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Nisijima K, Shioda K. A rare case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome without elevated serum creatine kinasa. Nueropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:403–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Norred C. Anesthetic-induced anaphylaxis. Update for Nurse Anesthetists. AANA J. 2012;80(2):129–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Mali S. Anaphylaxis during the perioperative period. Anesth Essays Res. 2012;6(2):124–33. https://doi.org/10.4103/0259-1162.108286 PMID: 25885604; PMCID: PMC4173455.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Dewachter P, Mouton-Faivre C. What investigation after an anaphylactic reaction during anaesthesia? Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2008;21(3):363–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Rocha MJF. Cómo hacer frente a una reacción alérgica en el perioperatorio: del rash a la anafilaxia. Rev Mex Anest. 2013;36(S1).

  37. Mertes PM, Laxenaire MC. Allergic reactions occurring during anaesthesia. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2002;19(4):240–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Kroigaard M, Garvey LH, Menne T, et al. Allergic reactions in anaesthesia: are suspected causes confirmed on subsequent testing? Br J Anaesth. 2005;95(4):468–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Mertes PM, Laxenaire MC, Alla F. Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions occurring during anesthesia in France in 1999–2000. Anesthesiology. 2003;99(3):536–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Mertes PM, Tajima K, Regnier-kimmoun MA, et al. Perioperative anaphylaxis. Med Clin N Am. 2010;94(4):761–89 xi.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Demoly P, Romano A, Botelho C, Bousquet-Rouanet L, Gaeta F, Silva R, et al. Determining the negative predictive value of provocation tests with beta-lactams. Allergy. 2010;65(3):327–32.

  42. Berrio Valencia MI. Perioperative anaphylaxis. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2015;65(4).

  43. Mertes PM, Malinovsky JM, Jouffroy L, Aberer W, Terreehorst I, Brockow K. Reducing the risk of anaphylaxis during anesthesia: 2011 updated guidelines for clinical practice. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2011;21:442–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Mertes PM, Lambert M, Gunt's Rodriguez RM, Aimone Gestin I, Mouton Faivre C, Moneret Vautrin DA, et al. Perioperative anaphylaxis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2009;29:429–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra Nora Gonzalez-Diaz MD PhD.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Sandra Nora González-Díaz, Cindy Elizabeth de Lira-Quezada, Rosalaura Virginia Villarreal-González, Rosa Ivett Guzmán-Avilán, Carlos Macouzet-Sanchez and Gabriela Galindo Rodríguez declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

Human and animal rights and informed consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Anaphylaxis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gonzalez-Diaz, S.N., de Lira-Quezada, C.E., Villarreal-Gonzalez, R.V. et al. Perioperative Anaphylaxis. Curr Treat Options Allergy 7, 198–210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-020-00250-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-020-00250-2

Keywords

Navigation