Latex anaphylaxis during tissue expander insertion in a healthy child.
OBJECTIVE
To report intraoperative latex anaphylaxis that occurred in an otherwise healthy child. Although latex anaphylaxis is seen in patients with myelodysplasia, genitourinary anomalies, sensitised healthcare workers, and patients with frequent exposure to latex, it has not been described in otherwise healthy children.


METHODS
A nine-year-old girl developed intraoperative latex anaphylaxis manifested by increased airway pressure, expiratory wheezing, a decrease in oxygen saturation, severe hypotension and urticaria. The patient was treated with 5 micrograms.kg-1 epinephrine i.v. and 5 mg.kg-1 hydrocortisone i.v. She required an epinephrine infusion of 0.4 microgram.kg-1.min-1 and prolonged ICU admission. Her only previous latex exposure was during plastic surgical procedures. Latex allergy was confirmed weeks later using the prick method allergy testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Latex anaphylaxis can occur in otherwise healthy children whose only latex exposure occurred during a previous operation, including plastic surgery.
Zestos
M M
MM
Department of Anaesthesia and the Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Creighton
R
R
D000758:Anesthesia; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007840:Latex; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D004837:Epinephrine