THE USE OF NEUROLEPTANALGESIA DURING SURGERY FOR PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMA

SUMMARY After preoperative preparation, using a combination of alpha and beta blockade, two patients were successfully anaesthetized for removal of phaeochiomocytoma using droperidol, fentanyl and nitrous oxide anaesthesia. The electrocardiogram, radial arterial blood pressure, and central venous pressure, were continuously monitored. Although in the first patient there was a peak of systolic hypertension to over 200 mm Hg during intubation the arterial pressure was remarkably stable, and there were no arrhythmias during the handling of the tumour in either case. The theoretical advantages of neuroleptanalgesia are discussed and it is suggested as a satisfactory alternative to methoxyflurane or fluroxene for anaesthesia for removal of phaeochromocytoma.