TOLERANCE OF LAPAROSCOPY FOR RESECTION OF PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

We describe two patients who underwent resection of phaeochromocytoma by a laparoscopic approach. Although outcome from surgery was successf ul, there was marked variability in hormonal and haemodynamic changes. In one patient, despite an infusion of nicardipine, peritoneal insuff lation produced a marked increase in catecholamine concentrations asso ciated with transient but intense vasoconstriction, but there was no c hange in the second patient. In both patients, exsufflation caused no significant haemodynamic changes in spite of the high doses of nicardi pine given throughout the procedures.