JBJS, February 1, 2003, Volume 85, Issue 2

Intraoperative Anaphylactic Shock Associated with Bacitracin Irrigation During Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Jared L. Antevil, MD Michael P. Muldoon, MD Michael Battaglia, MD Richard Green, MD

Knee

In orthopaedics, anaphylaxis may occur with the use of antibiotics and latex products in patients who are sensitized from previous exposure to these substances 1. The use of diluted topical antibiotics for the irrigation of surgical wounds is an accepted practice in many surgical disciplines. Although anaphylaxis following irrigation or topical treatment with bacitracin has been reported in the dermatological, neurosurgical, and anesthesiological literature 2-6, to our knowledge, this is the first report of this occurrence during total joint revision arthroplasty. We informed the patient that data concerning her case would be submitted for publication.

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