Anaphylaxis in a Patient Undergoing FESS for Nasal Polyposis: Revisting Samter’s Triad

  • Santvana Kohli Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar(W), New Delhi, India.
  • Mudit Varshney Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar(W), New Delhi, India.
  • Sahil Diwan Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar(W), New Delhi, India.
Keywords: Anaphylaxis; Nasal polyp; Aspirin; Samter’s triad; NSAIDs; Diclofenac; Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

Abstract

Patients with nasal polyposis frequently have associated bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity to NSAIDs. When the three conditions co-exist, it is referred to as the Samter’s triad. Patients with Samter’s triad are an important subset of those with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). We present a case of a young female patient undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyps, who although did not show any other features of AERD, went on to develop florid anaphylaxis to diclofenac administration intra-operatively. After adequate resuscitation and intensive care stay, the patient made a complete recovery. NSAIDs must be avoided in patients with nasal polyps, despite showing no other features of this syndrome. Other analgesic agents that can be used include IV paracetamol and opioids like tramadol.

Published
2021-10-31
Section
Articles