Perioperative collapse: Prevalence of latex allergy in patients sensitive to anaesthetic agents

The evidence in the literature suggests that the prevalence of latex allergy in the general population is approximately 1%. With increasing awareness of transmission of HIV and other infections such as hepatitis B, the use of latex gloves and condoms has escalated in recent years. As cheaper latex gloves of variable and doubtful quality flood the market, health care workers and patients are being increasingly sensitized by these latex products. A retrospective study investigated the prevalence of latex allergy in a cohort of 26 patients who suffered perioperative anaphylactoid reactions. 84% of these patients were hypersensitive to at least 1 anaesthetic-related agent. 7.7% were also allergic to latex (p=0.028). Atopy is a strong predisposing factor (p=0.006). An accurate preoperative history of atopy and past reactions to latex will identify most at-risk patients. Prick test and PAST to latex will confirm the latex allergy. Anaesthetists, surgeons, allergists and other health practitioners should be aware of this problem. (C) Munksgaard, 1997.