An Anesthesiologist with an Allergy to Multiple Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs: A New Occupational Hazard

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 all allergy to an NMBD through occupational exposure has a significant effect oil 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. (Anesth Analg 2010;110:601-2)