Remifentanil for modulation of hemodynamics in a patient undergoing laparoscopic resection of pheochromocytoma.

The present report monitors the hemodynamic fluctuations in a 63 year-old female patient undergoing laparoscopic resection of right adrenal pheochromocytoma during remifentanil-based anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with lidocaine 1 mg x kg(-1), propofol 3.5 mg x kg(-1), and cisatracurium 0.2 mg(-1) x kg(-1) and a remifentanil infusion was started at a rate of 1 ug.kg (-1) x min(-1). Anesthesia was then maintained with remifentanil infusion (0.5 microg(-1) x kg(-1) x min), sevoflurane 1-2% (end-tidal) in a mixture of air/oxygen (3:1), and a continuous infusion of cisatracurium. There were no significant changes of BP and HR following tracheal intubation or surgical incision. However, creation of pneumoperitoneum as well as tumor manipulation resulted in a dramatic increase of systolic BP and pulmonary artery pressure, associated with a decrease in cardiac output. These hemodynamic changes were unresponsive to an increase in the remifentanil infusion rate up to 1.5 ug.kg(-1) x min(-1), but were controlled by increasing the concentration of sevoflurane up to 6%, and by a nitroglycerin (NTG) infusion. Ten min after removal of the tumor, and despite discontinuation of the NTG infusion as well as a reduction in the remifentanil infusion and sevoflurane concentration, the BP decreased down to 64/43 mmHg. In conclusion, the present report shows in a patient undergoing laparoscopic resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma that remifentanil does not prevent the severe hypertensive episodes associated with intraperitoneal carbon dioxide insufflation or tumor manipulation. However, it can be titrated to prevent the hemodynamic reflex response to tracheal intubation and surgical stimulation.