Two Episodes of Trigeminocardiac Reflex During a Pan facial Fracture Surgery, a Rare Phenomenon - Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Trigeminocardiac reflex is a sudden physiologic response due to mechanical manipulation of any of the branches of trigeminal nerve. Trigeminocardiac reflex occurs due to pressure effect or stretching of trigeminal nerve which causes fall in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate. In this reflex arc, the trigeminal nerve serves as afferent pathway and vagus nerve, which is cardio inhibitory in nature, serves as efferent pathway. Two episodes of trigeminocardiac reflex during maxillofacial trauma surgery is not a common phenomenon. The present case report describes a case of 40-year-old male patient, diagnosed with pan facial fracture in which two episodes of trigeminocardiac reflex were seen intraoperatively during fracture reduction and fixation of left zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture and inferior orbital rim fracture. Intraoperative management of trigeminocardiac reflex was done by withholding the stimulus and administration of atropine.

Keywords: Oculocardiac reflex; Reflex arc; Trigeminal nerve; Zygomatico maxillary complex fracture.

[Table/Fig-1]:

3D reconstruction CT, showing pan facial fracture involving upper, middle, and lower third of the face.

[Table/Fig-2]:

Postoperative PA view of mandible and PNS view shows management of fractures with stainless steel plates.