[Surgical therapy of pheochromocytoma (author's transl)]

Between 1958-1978 a total of 19 patients, 11 men and 8 women, were treated for pheochromocytoma. Their age varied between 9 and 67 years (overage 39 years). In all cases with unilateral tumor located in the adrenal gland a lateral approach was preferred. When not certain of the tumor location or when presumed outside the adrenals a laparotomy was deemed necessary. Fourteen thoraco-abdominal lateral approaches and 5 laparotomies were performed. Due to minimal manipulation, especially with the lateral approach, peroperatory hypertensive crises could be reduced to a minimum. Sofar no recurrence has been seen. There was no operative mortality.