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Objective To investigate whether multiple surgery is responsible for the high prevalence of latex hypersensitivity in patients with spinal dysraphism by comparing the results of a skin-prick test in three groups of patients with different surgical histories. Patients and methods An in vivo diagnostic kit was used to determine the sensitivity to latex using a skin-prick test in three groups of patients, 23 with spinal dysraphism who had undergone surgery, 20 patients who had undergone non-urological surgery and urological patients who had not undergone surgery (control). There was no history of latex allergy in any individual from the three groups. Results The skin-test was positive in six patients with spinal dysraphism, in one who had undergone previous non-urological surgery and in none of the control patients. The prevalence of latex hypersensitivity was significantly higher in patients with spinal dysraphism than in the other groups (non-urological surgery P <0.05 and control P<0.01). This difference occurred despite the patients in each surgical group having undergone a mean of less than two operations. There was no significant difference in latex sensitivity between control patients and those undergoing non-urological surgery. Conclusion Despite having no history of latex hypersensitivity, about a quarter of patients with spinal dysraphism were sensitive to latex. Repeated surgery alone cannot be responsible for the greater incidence of latex hypersensitivity in these patients. Despite multiple surgery being accepted as playing a major role in the development of latex hypersensitivity, relatively fewer surgical episodes than reported previously seem to be sufficient to elicit latex allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]