Authors: Bismil, Quamar¹; Bowles, Christopher²; Edwards, Mark³; Arastu, Mateen²; Ricketts, David M.³; Solan, Matthew C.⁴

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 89, Number 6, September 2007 , pp. 603-604(2)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Allergy detection is important in surgical patients. Historically, the focus has been on drug allergies. There is increasing focus on non-drug allergy, specifically latex, iodine and elastoplast.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The practice and knowledge of 24 pre-registration house officers was evaluated, with regard to patient allergy. For the second phase of the study, the cohort of 367 consecutive patients presenting to the orthopaedic pre-assessment clinic was prospectively assessed.

RESULTS: This prospective study demonstrates that standard history-taking misses a large number (38%) of such allergies.

CONCLUSIONS: With regard to allergy detection, we are living a LIE (by ignoring latex, iodine, elastoplast allergy). We suggest junior doctors should employ the mnemonic LIED (latex, iodine, elastoplast and drugs) when taking a medical history.

References: 6 references open in new window

Articles that cite this article?

Keywords: ALLERGY; LATEX ALLERGY; IODINE ALLERGY; ELASTOPLAST ALLERGY; DRUG ALLERGY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/003588407X187711

Affiliations: 1: South-West Thames Region, London, UK 2: Department of Orthopaedics, Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, UK 3: Department of Orthopaedics, Princess Royal Hospital, West Sussex, UK 4: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Surrey, UK

Publication date: 2007-09-01

More about this publication?

• The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England is the official journal of the College and is published eight times a year in January, March, April, May, July, September, October and November. The main aim of the journal is to publish high quality, peer-reviewed papers that relate to all branches of surgery.
  
  The Annals also includes letters and comments, a regular technical section, NICE news, controversial topics, CORESS feedback, book reviews and the best trainee presentations from England and Wales. The editorial board is composed of members of the College Council and experts from across the surgical specialties.
  
  Archive issues of the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England are available via the PubMed Central database
  
  To view articles that have been published online ahead of print please click here
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• The journals of importance to UK clinicians - Survey
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine ,  Surgery ,  Education
• By this author: Bismil, Quamar ;  Bowles, Christopher ;  Edwards, Mark ;  Arastu, Mateen ;  Ricketts, David M. ;  Solan, Matthew C.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers