Background: The author analyzed the anesthesia medical malpractice closed claims that were referred to the Legal Health Organization (LHO) in order to evaluate the magnitude and underlying factors of the problem in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Annual reports covering the period from 1420H-1429H (1999-2008) were statistically analyzed to give mean figures and percentages in each annual report, and then demonstrated all together to run the differential analysis together with the trend along the studied period. Results: Data analysis showed an escalating trend for the total number of claims over the study period being started with 440 cases on 1420H and ended with 1356 cases by the year 1429H. The annual percentage of the final verdicts of accusation to the total number of claims presented to all committees ranges between 45.5%−60.2% with a mean value of 49.9%. Distribution of final verdicts among different clinical specialities showed that obstetrics takes the lead with a mean percentage of 25.5% along the studied period (1420H-1429H), followed by the practice of general surgery with a mean percentage of 13.8%. The sector of health care service showed a significant variation in relation to the mean number of final verdicts with accusation along the studied period, being the highest in the Ministry of Health sector with a mean number of 216.8 claims, followed by the private sector with a mean number of 197.3 claims. Conclusion: Adherence to the standards of medical practice is by far to the best approach to avoid and reduce the incidence of litigation.

Background: Postoperative pain control has been studied extensively, including many perioperative pain control procedures. Unfortunately, the impact of the surgical technique was not objectively studied. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the type of surgical dissection needed for extensive abdominal wall dissection actually has an effect in the reduction of postoperative pain or not. Materials and Methods: Forty adult patients, 19 males and 21 females, were randomly divided into two groups with each group containing 20 patients having different varieties of anterior abdominal wall ventral hernia. Patients in group I had their hernias and abdominal wall flaps dissected by only sharp dissection using scalpel. Patients in group II had their hernias and abdominal wall flaps dissected using mainly blunt dissection assisted by sharp dissection where blunt dissection could not do the job. All the patients had general anesthesia. No preemptive analgesia was used. Nalbufen was used as the only postoperative pain killer and the total amount used of it was treated as the indicator for the intensity of postoperative pain. Results: The results of the present study showed that the total amount of Nalbufen used for the control of postoperative pain is significantly less in group I throughout the postoperative follow-up period. Conclusion: This study concludes that use of sharp dissection in cases of extensive abdominal wall dissection is statistically better than other methods of dissection in terms of postoperative pain control.

Objective: To compare two different supraglottic airway devices, the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and the I-gel, regarding easiness of insertion of the device, leak pressure, gastric insufflation, end tidal CO ₂ , oxygen saturation, hemodynamic and postoperative complications in anesthetized, spontaneously ventilated adult patients performing different non-emergency surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out as a prospective, randomized, clinical trial among 80 patients who underwent different surgical procedures under general anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation in supine position. They were equally randomized into two groups: I-gel and LMA groups. Both the devices were compared with regard to heart rate, arterial BP, SPO ₂ , end-tidal CO ₂ , number and duration of insertion attempts, incidence of gastric insufflation, leak pressure and airway assessment after removal of the device. Results: No statistically significant difference was reported between both the groups, regarding heart rate, arterial BP, SPO ₂ and end-tidal CO ₂ . The mean duration of insertion attempts was 15.6±4.9 seconds in the I-gel group, while it was 26.2±17.7 seconds in the LMA group. The difference between both the groups regarding duration of insertion attempts was statistically significant (P=0.0023*), while the number of insertion attempts was statistically insignificant between both the study groups (P>0.05). Leak pressure was (25.6±4.9 vs. 21.2±7.7 cm H ₂ O) significantly higher among studied patients of the I-gel group (P=0.016*) and the incidence of gastric insufflation was significantly more with LMA group 9 (22.5%) vs. I-gel group (5%) (P=0.016). Conclusion: Both LMA and I-gel do not cause any significant alteration in the hemodynamic status of the patients, end tidal CO ₂ , and SPO ₂ . The postoperative complications were not significantly different except nusea and vomiting was statistically significant higher in LMA group (P=0.032). among both LMA and I-gel patients. Insertion of I-gel was significantly easier and more rapid than insertion of LMA. Leak pressure was significantly higher with I-gel than LMA and thus incidence of gastric insufflation was significantly lower with I-gel.

Aims: To study the effect of oral gabapentin used as preemptive analgesia to attenuate post operative pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: In a randomized double blind study, 60 patients were divided into two groups. Group A received 600mg gabapentin and group B oral received placebo 1 h prior to surgery. Anesthesia was induced with Propofol 2 mg/kg and Vecuronium 0.1mg/kg and maintained with 60% N ₂ O in O ₂ and Vecuronium 0.02 mg/kg. All cases were given Fentanyl 2μg/kg as pre-medication and a repeat dose 1μg/kg at the end of the first hour. Assessment of post-operative pain was made with the visual analog score (VAS) at extubation (0 h), 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h post-operatively. Post-operative analgesia was provided with intravenous Tramadol. The first dose was given in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit as 2mg/kg, and repeated at 8 and 16 h. Rescue analgesia was given with Diclofenac 1.5mg/kg, slow intravenous. The number of doses of rescue analgesia in both the groups was noted. Results: The VAS scores at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h were 1.9 vs. 2.4 (P=0.002), 2.3 vs. 3.0 (P=0.000), 3.2 vs. 3.7 (P=0.006), 2.9 vs. 4.4 (P=0.000), 3.6 vs. 4.6 (P=0.000), and 3.7 vs.4.6 (P=0.000), respectively. Numbers of patients requiring rescue analgesia with Diclofenac were 3 vs. 14 (P=0.004). Conclusion: A single oral dose of gabapentin given pre-operatively enhanced the analgesic effect of Tramadol as it also reduced the requirement of rescue analgesia with Diclofenac.

Context: Fluid absorption is inevitable complication of transuretheral resection of prostate and serum electrolytes changes can indirectly assess the irrigation fluid absorption. Aims: To monitor the extent of 1.5% glycineirrigation fluid absorption during transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), by measuring the changes of serum sodium and potassium levels peri-operatively. Settings and Design: This is a randomized prospective cohort observational study. Materials and Methods: The 86 male patients of ASA grades I to III in the age group of 50 to 80 years, scheduled for elective TURP surgery under central neuraxial block, were studied. Their preoperative and post-operative serum sodium, potassium and calcium levels were measured. When duration of surgery exceeds 60 min, serum sodium and potassium levels were done intra-operatively with venous blood samples by using blood gas analyser. The height of irrigation fluid column was kept constant at 60 cm. These changes were correlated with the volume of irrigating fluid used, duration of procedure and the volume of prostate gland resected. Statistical Analysis Used: The values of pre and postoperative sodium, potassium and calcium serum levels were compared and statistical significance of the difference in values was assessed using Student's paired t test. Results: Statistically significant reduction of serum sodium levels (hyponatremia) and elevation of serum potassium levels (hyperkalemia) were observed post-operatively, which was directly proportional to volume of irrigating fluid used, duration of procedure and volume of prostate gland resected. No significant changes in serum calcium level were observed. Conclusions: To measure serum electrolytes changes during TURP surgery, it is simple and economical method for indirect assessment of fluid absorption for early identification of TURP syndrome.

Background: One of the drawbacks of performing ophthalmic surgery under local anesthesia is patient movement, which might affect optimal surgical outcome. Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the combined use of propofol and remifentanil as a sedative technique in comparison with the use of propofol alone to limit patient discomfort and movement during local anesthesia for vitreo-retinal surgery lasting for more than two hours. Materials and Methods: A total of 140 patients scheduled for vitreo-retinal surgery under local anesthesia, with an expected surgical time of more than two hours, were included in the study. Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups: group I where patients were given propofol and remifentanil by continuous infusion and group II where patients were given propofol alone by continuous infusion. Results: The two groups were comparable with regard to age, weight, gender, ASA physical status and duration of surgery. There was a significant decrease in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) in each group 10 minutes after the start of sedation compared with pre-sedation data and continued all through the procedure. There was an insignificant difference between the two groups with regard to changes in heart rate and MABP all through surgical procedure. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the incidence of complications except for an increased incidence of breakthrough pain and discomfort which necessitated the use of fentanyl as a rescue treatment in the propofol group P<0.001. There were no instances of movements with a major effect on the surgical field, which could have affected surgical outcome, in the two groups. The number of patients who did not move was significantly higher, 56 (80%), in group I compared with 38 (54.29%) in group II with P<0.001. The ophthalmologist satisfaction scale was significantly higher in group I (4.5±0.63) compared with group II (3.7±1.04) with P=0.0016. Conclusion: The combined use of propofol and remifentanil as a continuous infusion before performance of the block and during lengthy vitreo-retinal surgery was associated with a lower incidence of patient discomfort, breakthrough pain, and patient movement along with high degree of surgeons' satisfaction and hemodynamic stability.

Background: Cisatracurium in clinical practice is devoid of histamine-induced cardiovascular effects. On the other hand, 2 ED ₉₅ doses of cisatracurium (100 μg/kg) do not create satisfactory intubating conditions such as those seen with equipotent doses of atracurium. The recommended intubating dose of cisatracurium is 3 ED ₉₅ . To understand this discrepancy better, we evaluated the potency and onset of atracurium and cisatracurium. Materials and Methods: The study designed as randomized controlled clinical trial to compare between atracurium (2ΧED ₉₅ ) and different doses of cisatracurium (2ΧED ₉₅ , 4ΧED ₉₅ , 6ΧED ₉₅ ) regarding onset time, duration of action, condition of intubation, hemodynamic effects, and sings of histamine release clinically. Sixty four patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups, the first group (group 1) received 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of atracurium, group 2 received 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium _, group 3 received 4ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium, while group 4 received 6ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium. The Datex relaxograph (Type NMT-100-23-01, S/N: 37541) for neuromuscular monitoring was used. Results : HR, MABP was statistically significant increased post-intubation with administration of 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of atracurium in group 1 and the same dose of cisatracurium in group 2 but 5-20 min later was not statistically significant with administration of 4ΧED ₉₅ and 6ΧED ₉₅ doses of cisatracurium in groups 3 and 4, respectively. Onset time was found to be significantly lower with 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of atracurium than with the same dose of cisatracurium. At the same time, higher doses of cisatracurium (4ΧED ₉₅ and 6ΧED ₉₅ ) showed onset time and longer duration of action that was significantly lower than with atracurium and with lower dose of cisatracurium (2ΧED ₉₅ ). Only 6ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium showed statistically significant difference versus the atracurium dose with higher percentages of patients with excellent condition of intubation. 4ΧED ₉₅ and 6ΧED ₉₅ doses of cisatracurium were significantly better than 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium. 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of atracurium and 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium were similar, while 4ΧED ₉₅ and 6ΧED ₉₅ doses of cisatracurium were significantly better than atracurium and 2ΧED ₉₅ dose of cisatracurium. Conclusion: The same dose (2ΧED ₉₅ dose) atracurium is more effective neuromuscular blocking agent than cisatracurium, while higher doses of cisatracurium 4ΧED ₉₅ and 6ΧED ₉₅ provide more effective, more rapid neuromuscular blocking with longer duration of action, stable hemodynamic status, and no associated signs of histamine release clinically.

Background: Difficult airway continued to be a major cause of anesthesia-related morbidity and mortality. Successful airway management depends on direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Difficult laryngoscopy is a resultant of incomplete structural arrangements during the process of head positioning. Through clinical history,examination of the patients along with craniofacial indices alerts the anesthetist for difficult laryngoscopy. But it does not predict all causes of difficult laryngoscopy during pre-anesthetic evaluation. The maxillo-pharyngeal angle, an upper airway anatomical balance, was proposed for better understanding the pathophysiology of difficult laryngoscopy. In our study we have assess difficult laryngoscopy by electronically measuring maxillo-pharyngeal angles on a lateral cervical radiograph. This angle is normally greater than 100 ^o . Less than 90 ^o angle suggests either impossible or difficult direct laryngoscopy when all known craniofacial indices were within the normal range. Cervical radiographic assessment is a simple, economical, and non-invasive predictive method for difficult laryngoscopy. It should be used routinely along with other indices as pre-anesthetic airway assessment criteria to predict the difficult laryngoscopy. Context: Difficulties with airway management continue to be a major cause of anesthesia-related morbidity, mortality, and litigation. Pre-operative assessment of difficult laryngoscopy by the simple and non-invasive radiological method can help to prevent them. Aims: To assess the difficult laryngoscopy pre operatively by a simple and non invasive radiological method by electronically measuring maxillo-pharyngeal angle on a lateral cervical radiograph and it's correlation with Cormack and Lehane grading. Settings and Design: This is a controlled, nonrandomized, prospective, cohort observation study. Patients and Methods: The 157 adult consented patients of ASA grade I to III of either sex, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with endo-tracheal intubation, were studied. The patients with identified difficult airway indices were excluded from the study. The maxillo-pharyngeal angle was electronically measured on a lateral cervical radiograph and was correlated with ease or difficulty of laryngoscopy under general anesthesia. Their degree of laryngeal exposure according to Cormack and Lehane classification grade was also noted. Statistical Analysis used: We performed univariate analyses to evaluate the association between the covariates and direct laryngoscopy. Results: In 148 patients (94.28%), the maxillo-pharyngeal angle was more than 100 ^o , in 7 patients (4.45%) it was less than 90 ^o , and in 2 patients (1.27%) the M-P angle was less than 85 ^o with normal craniofacial indices. When the MP angle was less than 90 ^o , the direct laryngoscopy was difficult which could be compared with to Cormack and Lehane classification grade III and IV. Conclusions: Lateral cervical radiographic assessment should be used as pre-anesthetic airway assessment criteria to predict the difficult laryngoscopy as it is a simple, safe and non-invasive method.

Objective: The present study compared the efficacy of esmolol and labetalol, in low doses, for attenuation of sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation. Design: Prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded study. Setting: Operation room. Patients and Methods: 75 ASA physical status I and II adult patients, aged 18-45 years undergoing elective surgical procedures, requiring general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation. Interventions: Patients were allocated to any of the three groups (25 each)-Group C (control)10 ml 0.9% saline i.v. Group E (esmolol) 0.5 mg/kg diluted with 0.9% saline to 10 ml i.v. Group L (labetalol) 0.25 mg/kg diluted with 0.9% saline to 10 ml i.v. In the control group 10 ml of 0.9% saline was given both at 2 and 5 min prior to intubation. In the esmolol group 0.5 mg/kg of esmolol (diluted with 0.9% saline to 10 ml) was given 2 min prior and 10 ml of 0.9% saline 5 min prior to intubation. In the labetalol group 10 ml of 0.9% saline was administered 2 min prior and 0.25 mg/kg of labetalol (diluted with 0.9% saline to 10 ml) 5 min prior to intubation. All the patients were subjected to the same standard anesthetic technique. Measurements: Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were recorded prior to induction, at time of intubation and 1, 3, 5, and 10 min after intubation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate pressure product (RPP) were calculated. Abnormal ECG changes were also recorded. Results: Compared to placebo and esmolol (0.5 mg/kg), labetalol (0.25 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the rise in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and RPP during laryngoscopy and intubation. However, the difference was not statistically significant among the values for DBP and MAP. Conclusion: In lower doses, labetalol (0.25 mg/kg) is a better agent than esmolol (0.5 mg/kg) in attenuating the sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation.

Context: Little is known about the relationship between sedative drugs used preoperatively and postoperative delirium. Melatonin is a drug used to sedate patients preoperatively and is hypothesized by recent works to have a curative effect on postoperative delirium. Aims: The incidence of postoperative delirium will be tested if affected by three different sedative drugs including melatonin. Settings and Design: Controlled randomized double-blind study. Patients and Methods: Three-hundred patients aged>65 years scheduled for hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomly distributed to one of the four groups. Group 1 (control) received nothing for sedation. Group 2 (melatonin) received 5 mg melatonin. Group 3 (midazolam) received 7.5 mg midazolam. Group 4 (clonidine) received 100 μg clonidine. These medications were given orally at sleep time at night of operation and another dose 90 min before operative time. Patients who developed postoperative delirium received 5 mg of melatonin 9 pm for three successive days in a trial to treat delirium. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS Software (version 13). Results: Total of 222 patients completed the study. Percentage of postoperative delirium in the control group was 32.65% (16/49 patients). The melatonin group showed a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of postoperative delirium to 9.43% (5/53 patients). Melatonin was successful in treating 58.06% of patients suffered postoperative delirium (36/62 patients) with no difference between different groups. Conclusions: Postoperative delirium is affected with the drug used for preoperative sedation. Melatonin was successful in decreasing postoperative delirium when used preoperatively and in treating more than half of patients developed postoperative delirium when used for three postoperative nights.

Context: Needle length plays an important role for the success of ophthalmic block. The standard practice is to use 25 mm needles length; however, unnecessarily long needles may increase the risk of complications especially in the presence of staphyloma or previous scleral buckle. Aims: This work was designed to compare the efficacy of using 15 and 25 mm needle in performing extraconal block for patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Settings and Design: Prospective randomized double blinded study. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in this study and were divided in two groups. In group (1) extraconal block was performed using 25 mm needle, while in group (2) 15 mm needle was used. After primary injection, assessment of the block was done by an anesthesiologist who was unaware of the needle used. If satisfactory akinesia was not achieved a supplementation was provided. At the end of the procedures, patients and surgeons were asked to assess their pain and satisfaction with the anesthetic technique. Statistical Analysis Used : The sample size calculation using N-Quary version 4. Numerical and categorical data were analyzed using an independent sample, a two-tailed t-test, and chi-square test, respectively. Results: The volume of primary injectable was significantly higher in group 2. The two groups were comparable as regards total volume of local anesthetic, supplementation rate, akinesia, pain score, and surgeon satisfaction. Conclusions: Using 15 mm needle length to perform extraconal blockade for posterior segment procedures is equally effective to 25 mm needle.

Objectives: A study to compare the efficacy between fentanyl and sufentanil combined with low concentration (0.0625%) of bupivacaine for epidural labor analgesia in laboring women. Materials and Methods: Fifty full term parturients received an initial bolus dose of a 10 ml solution containing 0.125% bupivacaine. The patients were randomly divided into two: group F received 0.0625% bupivacaine with 2.5 mcg/ml fentanyl and group S received 0.0625% bupivacaine with 0.25 mcg/ml sufentanil. Verbal analogue pain scores, need of supplementary/rescue boluses dose of bupivacaine consumed, mode of delivery, maternal satisfaction, and neonatal Apgar scores were recorded. No significant difference was observed between both groups. Results: Both the groups provided equivalent labor analgesia and maternal satisfaction. The chances of cesarean delivery were also not increased in any group. No difference in the cephalad extent of sensory analgesia, motor block or neonatal Apgar score were observed. Although mean pain scores throughout the labor and delivery were similar in both groups, more patients in fentanyl group required supplementary boluses though not statistically significant. Conclusion: We conclude that both 0.0625% bupivacaine-fentanyl (2.5 μg/ml) and 0.0625% bupivacaine-sufentanil (0.25 μg/ml) were equally effective by continuous epidural infusion in providing labor analgesia with hemodynamic stability achieving equivalent maternal satisfaction without serious maternal or fetal side effects. We found that sufentanil was 10 times more potent than fentanyl as an analgesic for continuous epidural labor analgesia.

Background and Aims: Electrical defibrillation is the most important therapy for patients in cardiac arrest. The audit was aimed to assess awareness among residents with respect to routine preuse checking of cardiac defibrillators. Materials and Methods: The audit was conducted at a multispeciality tertiary care referral and teaching center by means of a printed questionnaire from anaesthesiology residents. A database was prepared and responses were analyzed. Results: Eighty resident doctors participated in the audit. Most (97.8%) of the residents were sure of the presence of a defibrillator in the operation room (OR); 70% of postgraduates (PG)s were aware of the location of the defibrillator in the OR as compared to 83.7% of the senior resident (SRs). Also, 32.1% residents routinely check the availability of a defibrillator. The working condition of the defibrillator was checked by 21.7% of the residents; 25.3% ensured delivery of the set charge. Further, 8.2% of residents ensured availability of both adult and paediatric paddles. About 27.8% of residents ensured the availability of appropriate conducting gel and 53.8% residents were of the opinion that the responsibility of checking the functioning and maintenance of the defibrillators lies with themselves. Some 22% thought that both doctors and technical staff should share the responsibility, while 19.5% opined that it should be the responsibility of the technical staff. Conclusion: All medical equipment is to be tested prior to initial use and periodically thereafter. An extensive, recurring training program, and continued attention to the training of clinical personnel is required to ensure that they are proficient in the operation and testing of specific defibrillator models in their work area. We conclude that apart from awareness of the use of the equipment we are using, its preuse testing is must. All resident doctors should be aware of the presence and adequate functioning of the defibrillator in their ORs and this audit reinforces the need for training of all resident doctors.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) involves surgical correction of a stenotic airway with cartilage interpositional grafting, followed by either placement of a tracheostomy and an intraluminal stent (two-stage LTR) or placement of an endotracheal tube with postoperative sedation and mechanical ventilation for an extended period of time (single-stage LTR). With single-stage repair, there may be several perioperative challenges including the provision of adequate sedation, avoidance of the development of tolerance to sedative and analgesia agents, the need to use neuromuscular blocking agents, the maintenance of adequate pulmonary toilet to avoid perioperative nosocomial infections, and optimization of postoperative respiratory function to facilitate successful tracheal extubation. We review the perioperative management of these patients, discuss the challenges during the postoperative period, and propose recommendations for the prevention of reversible causes of extubation failure in this article. Optimization to ensure a timely tracheal extubation and successful weaning of mechanical ventilator, remains the primary key to success in these surgeries as extubation failure or the need for prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation can lead to failure of the graft site, the need for prolonged Pediatric Intensive Care Unit care, and in some cases, the need for a tracheostomy to maintain an adequate airway.

Non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKGH) is an autosomal recessive disorder of glycine metabolism. Defective glycine cleavage results in elevated concentrations of glycine in plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The accumulation of glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, leads to a clinical presentation of apnea, lethargy, hypotonia, seizures, and severe psychomotor retardation. There are four clinical variants of NKHG, which have been described in the medical literature. Neonatal NKHG is the most common as well as the most devastating and lethal form of the disorder. Given the multi-system involvement of the disorder, there are several perioperative concerns of such patients with delayed emergence requiring supported ventilation being a common postoperative outcome for NKHG patients. We report the perioperative management of a 4-year-old boy with NKGH who required anesthetic care during an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Conjoined twins have been viewed with fascination since antiquity. There are numerous reports in the literature documenting anesthetic management strategies for the separation of conjoined twins. There are also reports in the literature detailing anesthetic approaches for surgical procedures not involving separation. This is the first report of the anesthetic management of a set of omphalagous presenting for palliative repair of omphalocele in Nigeria.

This report describes a case of masseter muscle rigidity encountered at the start of an elective gynaecological procedure. At preoperative assessment, the patient, a 41-year old woman with a previous non-eventful surgical and anesthetic history was given a Mallampati score of 3. Following suxamethonium administration, full mouth opening proved difficult. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were not possible leading to the eventual use of a laryngeal mask airway and resulting in a successful anaesthetic outcome. A number of possibilities that may account for this situation as well as viable options for airway access in such cases are discussed below.

Rather than other drugs, propofol is more likely to be used for induction of anesthesia to cause an allergic reaction. Propofol is becoming the most common intravenous agent used for induction as well as maintenance of anaesthesia. Allergy to propofol is rarely reported. We present a case of 4-year-old boy presented for elective adenotonsillectomy with past medical history of eczema and multiple allergies to food. He developed what seems to be an allergic reaction to propofol. We concluded that anaesthetists should be alerted when using propofol in patients with history of atopy or several drug allergies. Current evidence suggests that egg allergic patients are not more likely to develop anaphylaxis when exposed to propofol. If reactions to drugs occurred, it is always advisable to ascertain the exact allergen in each individual case before deciding causality. Serum tryptase, skin prick, intradermal testing, or serologic testing should be done to confirm the diagnosis of an anaphylactic reaction.