[Surgical treatment of Sipple's syndrome (author's transl]

Sipple's syndrome (bilateral phaeochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma) is a multiple endocrinopathy with a familial occurrence. The medullary thyroid carcinoma develops from the intrathyroidal C-cells. Radioimmunological analysis of serum calcitonin, basally or after calcium infusion, discloses the tumor also in asymptomatic members of the families. The patients are treated in two sessions. In the first a bilateral adrenalectomy is performed and in the second a total thyroidectomy with modified neck dissection. Major preoperative diagnostic procedures as angiograms and phlebograms as well as the bilateral adrenalectomy must be preceded by pre-treatment with alpha- and beta- receptorblocking substances.