The evidence in the literature suggests that the prevalence of latex allergy in the general population is approximately 1%. With increasing awareness of transmission of HIV and other infections such as hepatitis B, the use of latex gloves and condoms has escalated in recent years. As cheaper latex gloves of variable and doubtful quality flood the market, health care workers and patients are being increasingly sensitized by these latex products. A retrospective study investigated the prevalence of latex allergy in a cohort of 26 patients who suffered perioperative anaphylactoid reactions. 84% of these patients were hypersensitive to at least 1 anaesthetic-related agent. 7.7% were also allergic to latex (p = 0.028). Atopy is a strong predisposing factor (p = 0.006). An accurate preoperative history of atopy and past reactions to latex will identify most at-risk patients. Prick test and RAST to latex will confirm the latex allergy. Anaesthetists, surgeons, allergists and other health practitioners should be aware of this problem.

We conclude that endoscopic bursectomy is a safe and effective treatment for septic pre-patellar bursitis with a shortened hospital stay and a quicker return to work than conventional open debridement.

Revision hip arthroplasty is a frequently performed procedure and is projected to increase annually. Removal of a well-fixed acetabular component can involve loss of much needed bone stock. Contemporary instruments allow acetabular removal with minimal morbidity; however, their use requires accurate knowledge of the component size. We describe a technique that allows sizing to be determined accurately, without specialized equipment, in situations where component details are unavailable. Our technique multiplies ratio of head:cup on pre-operative X-ray by the diameter of the index femoral head which is removed intra-operatively to predict index cup size. This novel surgical technique appears accurate in prediction of cup size to guide explant in revision hip arthroplasty.