Augmented serum lactic acid combined with metabolic alkalosis: a case report.

Lactic acidosis is a common problem in the peri-operative period. During extensive surgery we frequently have an augmentation of lactic acid most often on the basis of hypoperfusion. Normally, a rise in serum lactate level causes a fall in blood pH, and this metabolic acidosis is accompanied by a high anion gap. In this case report a perioperative rise in lactic acid and an elevation in serum pH in a patient during meningeal tumour surgery is presented.