Hypoglycemia following excision of pheochromocytoma.
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.
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*
D007328:Insulin