Use of simulation to improve management of perioperative anaphylaxis: a narrative review.

Simulation-based education is often highlighted as a method to prepare health personnel to handle clinical emergencies through repeated training and the design of supports. As one of the most common clinical emergencies in anaesthesia, anaphylaxis is often included in simulation scenarios at both graduate and postgraduate levels. Case reviews of anaphylaxis management continue to identify deficiencies in clinical responses. We evaluated the evidence to support the use of simulation to address these deficiencies. We undertook a comprehensive review of the MEDLINE and Embase databases with MESH terms 'Anaphylaxis', 'Anaesthesia', 'Simulation training', and variations of these terms. Articles were also searched from reference lists in the identified papers. A total of 39 articles on perioperative anaphylaxis simulation were identified, with most focusing on the clinical skills of individuals. However, anaphylaxis scenarios are also being used in assessment of teams and in the evaluation of broader system performance. Many countries mandate simulation training and competency assessment at graduate and postgraduate levels: despite this, none of the articles linked simulation training or assessment with improved patient management or outcomes. We found evidence that in situ simulation and use of cognitive aids lead to improved teamwork and task performace. Quantitative and qualitative evidence for simulation-based perioperative training is limited. Future studies should investigate whether simulation training in perioperative anaphylaxis, particularly in situ simulation, translates into improved patient management and outcomes.

The use of drug provocation testing in the investigation of suspected immediate perioperative allergic reactions: current status.

Suspected perioperative allergic reactions are often severe. To avoid potentially life-threatening re-exposure to the culprit drug, establishing a firm diagnosis and identifying the culprit is crucial. Drug provocation tests are considered the gold standard in drug allergy investigation but have not been recommended in the investigation of perioperative allergy, mainly because of the pharmacological effects of drugs such as induction agents and neuromuscular blocking agents. Some specialised centres have reported benefits of provocation testing in perioperative allergy investigation, but the literature on the subject is limited. Here we provide a status update on the use of drug provocation testing in perioperative allergy, including its use in specific drug groups. This review is based on a literature search and experiences of the authors comprising anaesthesiologists and allergists with experience in perioperative allergy investigation. In addition, 19 participating centres in the International Suspected Perioperative Allergic Reaction Group were surveyed on the use of provocation testing in perioperative allergy investigation. A response was received from 13 centres in eight European countries, New Zealand, and the USA. Also, 21 centres from the Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group were surveyed. Two centres performed provocation routinely and seven centres performed no provocations at all. Nearly half of the centres reported performing provocations with induction agents and neuromuscular blocking agents. Drug provocation testing is being used in perioperative allergy investigation in specialised centres, but collaborations between relevant specialties and multicentre studies are necessary to determine indications and establish common testing protocols.

Management of suspected immediate perioperative allergic reactions: an international overview and consensus recommendations.

Suspected perioperative allergic reactions are rare but can be life-threatening. The diagnosis is difficult to make in the perioperative setting, but prompt recognition and correct treatment is necessary to ensure a good outcome. A group of 26 international experts in perioperative allergy (anaesthesiologists, allergists, and immunologists) contributed to a modified Delphi consensus process, which covered areas such as differential diagnosis, management during and after anaphylaxis, allergy investigations, and plans for a subsequent anaesthetic. They were asked to rank the appropriateness of statements related to the immediate management of suspected perioperative allergic reactions. Statements were selected to represent areas where there is a lack of consensus in existing guidelines, such as dosing of epinephrine and fluids, the management of impending cardiac arrest, and reactions refractory to standard treatment. The results of the modified Delphi consensus process have been included in the recommendations on the management of suspected perioperative allergic reactions. This paper provides anaesthetists with an overview of relevant knowledge on the immediate and postoperative management of suspected perioperative allergic reactions based on current literature and expert opinion. In addition, it provides practical advice and recommendations in areas where consensus has been lacking in existing guidelines.

Comparative epidemiology of suspected perioperative hypersensitivity reactions.

Suspected perioperative hypersensitivity reactions are rare but contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of surgical procedures. Recent publications have highlighted the differences between countries concerning the respective risk of different drugs, and changes in patterns of causal agents and the emergence of new allergens. This review summarises recent information on the epidemiology of perioperative hypersensitivity reactions, with specific consideration of differences between geographic areas for the most frequently involved offending agents.

Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group/Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists perioperative anaphylaxis management guideline 2022.

Perioperative anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening emergency that requires prompt recognition and institution of life-saving therapy. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group have partnered to develop the anaphylaxis management guideline along with crisis management cards that are recommended for use in suspected anaphylaxis in the perioperative setting. This is the third version of these guidelines with the second version having been published in 2016. This article contains the revised Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group/Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists perioperative anaphylaxis management guideline, with a brief review of the current evidence for the management of anaphylaxis in the perioperative environment.

Acute management of anaphylaxis in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is rare but can potentially be associated with significant morbidity and mortality for the mother, fetus and neonate. With appropriate and timely management, even severe anaphylaxis can be managed with excellent maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to provide an illustrative case and highlight current recommendations for diagnosis and management of acute maternal anaphylaxis, which have recently been reviewed and developed into a guideline by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. DISCUSSION: An understanding of management of anaphylaxis in pregnancy is essential knowledge in the general practice setting. The recommended dosage and administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) for anaphylaxis is the same in pregnant and non-pregnant patients: 0.5 mg adrenaline intramuscularly in the mid-outer thigh (or dose of 0.01 mg/kg if <50 kg). The use of adrenaline in maternal anaphylaxis is supported by various international guidelines.

The addition of a small-dose ketamine infusion to tramadol for postoperative analgesia: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial after abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on combining ketamine with tramadol for postoperative analgesia in humans. We tested the hypothesis that adding ketamine to tramadol would improve analgesia after major abdominal surgery. METHOD: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, adult patients (n = 120) having elective laparotomy were randomly assigned to a ketamine group (intraoperative ketamine 0.3 mg/kg and postoperative infusion at 0.1 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) or control group (equivalent volume/rate of normal saline). All patients received intraoperative tramadol 3 mg/kg and a tramadol infusion (0.2 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 48 h postoperatively and had morphine patient-controlled analgesia available for rescue analgesia. RESULTS: The ketamine group had less pain at rest (P = 0.01) and with movement (P = 0.02) and required less morphine (P = 0.003) throughout the 48-h study period. In the 0-24 h period, ketamine improved subjective analgesic efficacy (P = 0.008), was less sedating (P = 0.03), and required fewer physician interventions to manage severe pain (P = 0.01). Hallucinations were more common in ketamine patients, but other side effects were similar. CONCLUSION: Small-dose ketamine was a useful addition to tramadol and morphine after major abdominal surgery.