Anesthesia for Pituitary Surgery

Anesthesia for pituitary surgery is tailored to each individual patient and the type of tumor they have. Anesthetic considerations include difficult airways, hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac abnormalities, the potential for catastrophic hemorrhage, and the importance of a smooth extubation. The anesthesiologist is able to assist the surgeons by keeping the patient motionless and lowering the blood pressure to minimize surgical bleeding. Postoperative nausea and vomiting are also of greater importance than usual, as the Valsalva movements associated with retching could cause bleeding and disruption of the surgical site.