Cyanosis of the hands following the use of alphaprodine in dental anaesthesia

A case is presented of asymptomatic cyanosis of the hands, seen four hours after dental surgery under intravenous, local and inhalational anaesthesia. Alphaprodine hydrochloride, a synthetic opiate and one of the agents used, may produce dilatation of the venous bed with passive venous pooling. Such a mechanism is thought to have occurred in this case, manifesting as cyanosis. A weakly positive intradermal skin test to alphaprodine suggests immediate type hypersensitivity as a possible underlying cause.