Perioperative management of a patient with alpha-gal syndrome

The alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic condition characterized by the production of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies targeting galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), an oligosaccharide present in most nonprimate mammalian tissues. 1 Triggered by tick bites, it expresses as a delayed allergy of variable intensity, including anaphylaxis, in relation to the consumption of red meat or products containing animal gelatin. 2 Diagnosing alpha-gal syndrome requires a thorough patient history to establish an appropriate perioperative strategy. This strategy necessitates the exclusion of all pharmacological products and medical devices with animal-derived components due to the potential for cross-allergic reactions and delayed anaphylaxis, 3 warranting close postoperative monitoring. We report the case of a patient with alpha-gal syndrome undergoing pulmonary tumour resection and discuss the specific aspects of perioperative management. The patient's consent was obtained for the writing of this case report and the processing of past or new data related to her perioperative care in November 2024. No assistance or financial support to declare. We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.