Unsuspected phaeochromocytoma presenting during surgery.

A patient with an unsuspected phaeochromocytoma presented with transient hypertension during anaesthesia for an elective hernia repair, and developed severe post-operative hypotension. The management of this acute crisis, appropriate preoperative preparation and the subsequent successful removal of the tumour is described. Awareness of this unusual presentation may help the attending physician to save such a patient.