Near fatal intra-operative anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine--is it time to change practice?
The authors report a case of a near fatal anaphylactic reaction to chlorhexidine. Increasingly adverse reactions are being reported with the use of chlorhexidine. Serious reactions are related to use on mucous membranes and acceptable alternatives are readily available. Therefore, the fundamental question that must be asked is: is it time to withdraw chlorhexidine preparations used for mucous membranes?
Department of Anaesthetics, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, UK. rafi .khan@nhs.net
R A
RA
Khan
T
T
Kazi
B
B
O'Donohoe
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine