Case Report
Intraoperative anaphylaxis due to gelofusine in a patient undergoing intramedullary nailing of the femur: a case report
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* Corresponding author: Eleftherios Tsiridis etsiridis@doctors.org.uk
1 Academic Orthopaedic Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK
2 Blue Cross Hospital, Cardio-Thoracic Anaesthetic Unit, Thessaloniki, Greece
Cases Journal 2009, 2:12 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-12
Published: 6 January 2009Abstract
Background
Although uncommon, anaphylaxis due to a colloid plasma expander can occur peri-operatively
Case presentation
We present a case of an intra-operative cardiac arrest in a 72 year old Caucasian male patient who underwent prophylactic intramedullary nailing for a proximal femoral metastasis from prostate cancer. The patient was resuscitated successfully and the procedure was completed uneventfully. Elevated serum tryptase levels confirmed the diagnosis of an anaphylactic reaction and positive allergy skin prick testing identified gelofusine as the causative agent.
Conclusion
A high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis and rapid institution of treatment are essential for a safe outcome following such reactions. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of such a severe reaction to gelofusine infusion that occurs during an orthopaedic procedure.