RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hypoglycemia following excision of pheochromocytoma
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 367
OP 368
VO 116
IS 4
A1 Wilkins, G. E.
A1 Schmidt, N.
A1 Doll, W. A.
YR 1977
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/116/4/367.abstract
AB In two patients hypoglycemia developed in the immediate postoperative period after removal of a pheochromocytoma. In one patient the serum insulin value was elevated when he was hypoglycemic. Preoperative preparation of patients with pheochromocytoma requires use of an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent to decrease blood pressure and allow the plasma volume to expand; in the two patients referred to phenoxybenzamine was given orally. It is difficult to recognize hypoglycemia postoperatively because of the altered consciousness associated with a major operation, analgesics, anesthetic agents and the effects of adrenergic blocking medications; hence the physician must watch closely for this complication.