Anaesthetic Management of a Case of Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is rare, accounting for less than 0.1 % of hypertensive population. In this report, wedescribe a 40-year-old male a diagnosed case of pheochromocytoma who underwent adrenalectomyunder general anaesthesia with epidural analgesia. The patient was adequately prepared with alphaadrenergic blockers. Intraoperative course was stormy but was managed with antihypertensives,inotropes and intravenous fluid. The patient was electively ventilated overnight and had an uncomplicatedrecovery.Pheochromocytoma is a rare medical condition and an anaesthesiologist comes across it only a few timesin his or her practice. Therefore there is a limited exposure in management. Furthermore hemodynamicinstability encountered intra and postoperatively itself is a challenge. Hence management of a case ofpheochromocytoma demands a meticulous preoperative preparation, advanced monitoring devices andgood interdepartment coordination preferably in a tertiary medical center for a favourable outcome.Key words: Haemodynamic instability; inotropes; pheochromocytoma; Sodium Nitroprusside.DOI:  10.3126/mjsbh.v9i1.3486Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital Vol.9(1) 2010 19-23