Relationship between Nausea, Vomiting and Oculocardiac Reflex Developing after Strabismus Surg e ry under Topical Anesthesia

ABSTRACT

Stimulation of trigeminal nerve by traction of extraocular muscle during strabismus surgery induces various vagal symptoms such as oculocardiac reflex, nausea and vomiting. We have investigated the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in the patients who underwent strabismus surgery under topical anesthesia and relationship with oculocardiac reflex. Among 40 patients, 16 patients(40%) complained of moderate to very severe degree of nausea and vomiting during or after surgery, and the severity of emesis increased in proportion to frequency of oculolocardiac reflex. These results suggest that so many patients would feel discomfort after strabismus surgery under topical anesthesia, and that estimation of oculocardiac reflex will be helpful in prediction of such symptoms and in taking preventive measure in advance.