ANESTHESIA FOR PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA RESECTION - ROLE OF THORACIC EPIDURALBLOCKADE

Two case reports are presented of patients who underwent surgical remo val of phaeochromocytoma at Goroka Base Hospital, one with the use of thoracic epidural blockade supplemented with light general anaesthesia . This patient had a much smoother perioperative anaesthetic course th an the other, with minimal elevation of blood pressure during the proc edure. The paper highlights the value of epidural blockade for excisio n of phaeochromocytoma, especially in situations where the latest reco mmended methods and advanced monitoring facilities are unavailable.