An anesthesiologist with an allergy to multiple neuromuscular blocking drugs: a new occupational hazard

Abstract

We report a case of a final-year anesthesiology trainee who developed a severe allergic reaction to cutaneous exposure of succinylcholine. Intradermal testing was strongly positive to succinylcholine and all the aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBDs). Specific immunoglobulin E to succinylcholine was also strongly positive. This unusual case of an anesthesiologist acquiring an allergy to an NMBD through occupational exposure has a significant effect on his practice of anesthesia. However, by avoiding operating rooms with a high usage of NMBDs and by wearing personal protective equipment, the anesthesiologist has worked in clinical anesthesia without incident.