Methemoglobinemia: an unusual complication of topical anesthesia.
Allergic reactions tend to be easily recognized and treated, but methemoglobinemia is a rare, life-threatening complication of topical anesthesia of which our staff was unaware until recently. Team work prevented a patient fatality. Directives to alert the staff to suspect methemoglobinemia in patients who develop cyanosis and decreased oxygen saturation levels after administration of topical anesthesia despite administration of oxygen will prevent fatalities in the future.
Maher
P
P
St. Joseph Health Center-Endoscopy Suite, St. Charles, MO 63301, USA.
D010129:4-Aminobenzoic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062366:para-Aminobenzoates
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000931:Antidotes; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; C010071:benzocaine, butyl aminobenzoate, tetracaine drug combination; D062366:para-Aminobenzoates; D013748:Tetracaine; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010129:4-Aminobenzoic Acid; D001566:Benzocaine