Postextubation severe bronchospasm and hypotension triggered by exposure to a disinfectant spray.

IN the perioperative period, anaphylactic reactions are often induced by the intravenous administration of muscle relaxants, antibiotics, colloids, and radiocontrast materials as well as after local contact with latexcontaining materials (e.g., gloves, catheters, airway tube) and chlorhexidine. Inhalation of toxic and highly irritant substances contained in cleaning solutions has occasionally been incriminated to produce acute bronchospasm and hypersensitization to other allergens. In this report, the postoperative onset of bronchospasm, hypotension, and urticaria is described and the involvement of both immune and nonimmune mechanisms is discussed.