Anaphylaxis during perioperative period in Pomeranian Region in Poland â€â€œ 8 year survey.

Background: Allergy in the perioperative period is a significant clinical problem. Methods: The author reports her own experience of a 8 – year survey conducted in Pomeranian region in Poland. Between January 2006 and December 2013, all patients who experienced perioperative anaphylaxis were referred to our allergy centre. They were selected out of 72 380 anaesthetized patients. Allergy was documented on the base of clinical history, skin tests, measurement of specific immunoglobulin E(sIgE) and serum mast cell tryptase (MCT). Results: A total of 52 patients were studied (42 female, 10 male; age 39±7.75 years). Mild reactions, mostly cutaneous, were reported in 90.37% patients and severe potentially life–threatening reactions in 63.40% patients. An IgE–mediated mechanism was confirmed in 23 (of the whole amount of 52) patients. In our region the most etiological agents were opiates (6 cases), hypnotics and latex in 4 cases, antibiotics and neuromuscular blocking agents in 3 cases. These results should be taken into account while evaluating benefit–to–risk ratio of various anesthetic techniques in individuals. Conclusions: It is important that a full explanation of what happened is given to patient, that the fact and results of any tests should be documented in the anaesthetic record, and that the patient is given a letter to warn future anaesthetists.