PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a possible complication during the surgical treatment of pheochromocytoma?

1. Excessive bleeding during surgery

2. Hypertensive crisis

3. Severe allergic reaction

4. Post-operative infection

The correct answer is: Hypertensive crisis

The surgical treatment of pheochromocytoma involves the resection of a tumor that secretes catecholamines, which can lead to significant hemodynamic changes. A hypertensive crisis is a possible complication during this surgery because the manipulation of the tumor can cause a release of catecholamines into the bloodstream. This sudden increase in catecholamine levels can lead to severe hypertension and potentially put the patient in a life-threatening situation. Patients with pheochromocytoma often present with labile blood pressure and episodes of hypertension, and the stress of surgery may exacerbate these fluctuations. Proper preoperative management, including the use of alpha-adrenergic blockers, is crucial to minimize the incidence of a hypertensive crisis during resection. While excessive bleeding, severe allergic reactions, and post-operative infections are potential surgical complications in any surgical procedure, they are not specific to pheochromocytoma and do not directly arise from the unique pathophysiology of this condition. Hence, the risk of a hypertensive crisis is specifically relevant to the surgical treatment of a pheochromocytoma.