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The Virtual Anaesthesia Textbook

Allergy, Anaphylaxis and Immunology

Last modified 10/11/2017. Comments to: Chris Thompson

Contents:


Anaphylaxis

Malcolm Fisher has an excellent paper on the Investigation of a Suspected Anaphylatic Reaction. The Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has a practice parameter document on The Diagnosis and Treatment of Anaphylaxis. There is a graphical image of laryngeal edema from anaphylaxis presented by Webpath at the University of Utah.

The Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group provides resources for the management of anaphylaxis in the anaesthesia setting.


Allergy

There seems to be little available that addresses allergy issues of direct concern to anaesthetists except for latex allergies. I would appreciate any suggestions especially regarding allergies to anaesthetic drugs and how to test for them. A general site on allergies is offered by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Latex Allergy is important in the operating room. See Helper's 2003 Latex Allergy Update in Anesth Analg. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists publishes a Latex Allergy Protocol.

The New Zealand Guidelines Group published A Guideline to Assist in the Management of Those Patients Known, or Thought, to be at Risk of Suffering from an Allergy to Latex Containing Products.

There is a discussion list on Latex Allergies though I have no knowledge of its content. There are some general latex allergy support groups such as the Delaware Valley Latex Allergy Support Network. The US Occupational Health and Safety Service has many interesting papers. Advice for patients can be found in the American College of Allergy pages.

Chlorhexidine allergy is an increasing problem, particularly with chlorhexidine coated catheters, as this case report indicates.


Immunology

A general site on allergies and immunology is offered by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.


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visitors to this chapter since April 29th 2000.

Original concept for the Virtual Anaesthesia Textbook by
Dr. Chris Thompson
MBBS FANZCA
Senior Staff Specialist Anaesthetist
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney Australia