[Latex allergy in pediatric age: an interdisciplinary perioperative management and case reports].

BACKGROUND

Latex intraoperative allergy is more and more frequent, especially in at groups risk (patients with spina bifida or congenital genitourinary abnormalities, pluri-operated patients, atopic subjects) and in pediatric age. The main problem of this allergy consists in the necessity of a strict collaboration of many specialists, in order to identify and safeguard the patient.

METHODS

Our experience has pointed out an interdisciplinary perioperative management able to: 1. identify patients affected by latex allergy; 2. submit them to a latex-safe perioperative proceeding; 3. check their conditions with periodical tests. Selecting patients through a history and a list of questions, identifying profiles of typical risk patients, organizing the operating room with latex-free materials and equipment were the most important issues. Since November 1997 to December 1999 eighteen latex-safe perioperative proceedings have been carried out on 8 subjects (2 with esophageal atresia, 4 with bladder exstrophy and 2 with cloacal exstrophy); 2 of them were emergency cases.

RESULTS

No allergic reactions and no proceeding-linked complications have been registered. Operators have always been satisfied by materials and equipment. Anesthesiological and surgical times resulted equal to those without latex-safe management.

CONCLUSIONS

This perioperative management of potential or verified latex allergic patients turned out to be valid, safe and easy in practical application.