Perioperative haemodynamic changes in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytomas and other adrenal tumours

Abstract Background Perioperative haemodynamic changes are well recognised sequelae of adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytomas. The aim of this study was to compare haemodynamic changes in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for phaeochromocytomas and other adrenal tumours. Method Patients were identified from a prospective database (Jan 1999–Feb 2008). All patients were managed by a multi-disciplinary team. Haemodynamic variables were: pulse, blood pressure and the requirement of antihypertensive or vasopressor therapies in the perioperative period. Results Over the nine-year period, 34 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic phaeochromocytoma resection (one patient had delayed contralateral LA) and 104 consecutive patients underwent LA for other tumours (two patients had delayed contralateral LA). 5 out of 35 resections in the phaeochromocytoma group experienced severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) >200 mm Hg) compared to two out of 106 resections in the non phaeochromocytoma group ( p = 0.010). No patient in either group had a transient or persistent (>10 min) SBP >220 mm Hg. Intraoperative antihypertensive use was significantly increased in the phaeochromocytoma group ( p < 0.005). There were no significant differences between groups for persistent hypotension (SBP 120/min and recovery room haemodynamic parameters. Conclusion LA for phaeochromocytoma can be accomplished with low perioperative haemodynamic complications when compared to LA for other adrenal tumours.