The most commonly involved agents in perioperative anaphylaxis are NMBAs, antibiotics, antiseptics, latex, and dyes However, any medication or substance the patient comes into contact with perioperatively can be a potential cause. The primary risk factor is a previous perioperative anaphylaxis or allergy to the medications or substances used in the procedure.

Anaphylactic reactions during anesthesia may be life-threatening events and are a result of the medications or substances used for anesthesia or surgery. The incidence of anaphylactic reactions during procedures or surgery has shown,wide variations from 1 in 1,250 to 1 in 20,000. The mortality is higher than from other causes of anaphylaxis and ranges from 3% to 9%. The primary risk factor for intraoperative anaphylaxis is a history of a reaction during procedures or surgery.

Volcheck GW, et al Identification and Management of Perioperative Anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019 Sep-Oct;7(7):2134-2142. Full Text for Emory Users