[Latex allergy in anesthesiology].

Allergy to latex, described 15 years ago, is increasing. It affects mainly certain risk groups, such as health-care workers and patients with spina bifida or genitourinary malformations. Symptoms vary in intensity from mild to life-threatening and can present during any medical procedure involving skin or mucosal contact, or inhalation, of the allergen in a previously sensitized patient. The most serious cases reported have generally involved patients undergoing surgery. Prevention is based mainly on tentative diagnosis made when the patient's history is taken, followed by laboratory tests and consultation with an allergist. Because prophylactic drug protocols have proven ineffective, the patient must be offered a latex-free environment in keeping with standard recommendations.