Is there a need for preoperative α-blocker in patients missed preoperative diagnosis of extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma undergoing paraganglioma resection? A retrospective study of 167 cases at a single center

Background Preoperative α-adrenergic blockade is believed to decrease perioperative risks and mortality in adrenal pheochromocytoma surgeries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the preoperative α-adrenergic blockade on patients’ outcomes in extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma surgeries. Methods We searched our clinical database for the diagnosis extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma by postoperative histopathology in the General Hospital of People’s Liberation Army from 2000 till 2017. And we recorded preoperative status of patients, preoperative medication preparation, intraoperative and postoperative cardiovascular events, intake and output, length of stay in ICU, length of hospital stay, and short time outcomes. Results The intraoperative morbidity of heart rate elevation and highest heart rate were higher in patients undergoing tumor manipulation with preoperative α-adrenergic blockade than those without ( P 0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications and outcomes ( P >0.05). Conclusion Under the current medical techniques, either with or without preoperative medicine, resection of extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma could be carried out successfully.