The conundrum of perioperative management for emergency cesarean section in a patient with anaphylactic shock

Abstract

Anaphylaxis during pregnancy is uncommon and poses a great dilemma. The conundrum of drug therapy, optimal timing of delivery, and method of anesthesia is still unresolved. We report such a case of 30-year-old hypothyroid parturient at 36 weeks and 5 days of gestation, with a history of uneventful previous lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). She was having scar tenderness and fetal distress and was being prepared for planned emergency LSCS. She had an anaphylactic reaction to ceftriaxone and developed cardiorespiratory failure. The manuscript highlights the different dilemmas and discusses management options.

Keywords

• anaphylaxis
• anesthesia
• labor
• obstetric
• perioperative
• shock