Comparison of phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin in perioperative management of patients with pheochromocytoma

Background: Adrenalectomy with preoperative pharmacological preparation is strongly recommended in patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, in order to prevent perioperative complications. Aim: To compare phenoxybenzamine (PhB) and doxazosin (DOX) in terms of perioperative haemodynamic status in patients with pheochromocytoma, who have been prepared for adrenalectomy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 44 patients with pheochromocytoma (aged 16–80 years, 29 females) who underwent adrenalectomy. Patients were divided into two groups: 35 patients on DOX and nine patients on PhB. Results: Mean time of preparation for surgery was 38.8 days in the DOX group and 18.3 days in the PhB group (p = 0.04). No statistically significant differences between the DOX and PhB groups in intraoperative blood pressure (BP) fluctuations were found: < 170/100 mm Hg (34% vs. 44%, respectively, p = 0.42), ≥ 200/110 mm Hg (40% vs. 22%, respectively, p = 0.28). Mean greatest intraoperative systolic BP (195 ± 53 vs. 166 ± 42 mm Hg, p = 0.21) and diastolic BP (98 ± 20 vs. 89 ± 46 mm Hg, p = 0.21), and mean lowest intraoperative systolic BP (87 ± 13 vs. 79 ± 17 mm Hg, p = 0.25) and diastolic BP (49 ± 8 vs. 46 ± 12 mm Hg, p = 0.60) were not different between the DOX and PhB groups, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside was administrated in 30% DOX vs. 11% PhB patients (p = 0.25). Laparoscopic surgery was conducted in 97% DOX vs. 89% PhB patients (p = 0.64). Postoperative BP drop below 90/60 mm Hg was noted in 48% of the DOX vs. 43% of the PhB group (p = 0.56). Negative correlation was found between the length of DOX administration with maximal intraoperative systolic BP (r = –0.45, p = 0.006) and diastolic BP (r = –0.39, p = 0.019). Conclusions: There are no clinically relevant differences between patients with pheochromocytoma, who have been prepared for adrenalectomy with DOX or PhB.