Manipulation of the sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve is known to cause autonomic changes, such as bradycardia or asystole, known as the trigemino-cardiac reflex. In this case, the patient underwent microvascular decompression due to trigeminal neuralgia and developed sudden bradycardia, followed by abrupt asystole with a concurrent fall in the systolic blood pressure. There was spontaneous return of cardiac rhythm and blood pressure, but two more episodes of sinus bradycardia occurred during the surgery.
Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Reflex, Trigeminocardiac ; Trigeminal Nerve ; Trigeminal Neuralgia*

The trigemino-cardiac reflex has been reported to occur during various craniofacial surgeries or procedures including manipulation of the trigeminal ganglion, tumor resection in the cerebellopontine angle, various facial reconstructions and trans-sphenoidal adenomectomy. Regarding risk factors during trans-sphenoidal adenomectomy, invasiveness closely related to the size of tumor and the degree of manipulation of cavernous sinus wall have been reported. We report the case of a 40-year-old female patient who had a relatively small-sized (< 10 mm) pituitary adenoma. Repetitive asystoles occurred during microscopic trans-sphenoidal operation of the wall of the cavernous sinus, which strongly suggests the importance of careful manipulation of the cavernous sinus wall. In addition to reporting this rare complication of trans-sphenoidal adenomectomy, we reviewed its clinical management by performing a literature search.
Adult ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Female ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Reflex, Trigeminocardiac* ; Risk Factors ; Trigeminal Ganglion

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) consists of the sudden development of severe bradycardia or even asystole with arterial hypotension during manipulation of branches of the trigeminal nerve. TCR can occur during craniofacial surgery, rhizolysis of the trigeminal ganglion, and tumour resection in the cerebellopontine angle. We report a case of TCR-induced asystole during skin flap elevation in a patient undergoing craniotomy for cerebral aneurysm clipping.
Bradycardia ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Craniotomy ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Reflex, Trigeminocardiac ; Skin ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; Trigeminal Nerve

BACKGROUND: The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR), which occurs after stimulation of the territory of the trigeminal nerve, is very rarely reported to be caused by stimulation of the mandibular branch. We report a case of TCR in open reduction for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. CASE: A 74-year-old female presented for TMJ dislocation. During open reduction of TMJ under general anesthesia, severe bradycardia (15 beats/min) occurred. Immediately 0.5 mg atropine was administered intravenously, and the surgical manipulation was stopped. After 30 seconds, heart rate normalized. During surgery, severe bradycardia occurred one more time. It disappeared spontaneously as soon as surgical manipulation was stopped. The surgery was completed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the possibility of profound bradycardia, asystole, or even death when evoked, it is important to be aware of the trigeminocardiac reflex during manipulation of the mandibular divisions, especially during surgical stimulation of the TMJ.
Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Atropine ; Bradycardia ; Dislocations ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Reflex, Trigeminocardiac ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Trigeminal Nerve

Diplopia ; etiology ; Enophthalmos ; etiology ; Exophthalmos ; etiology ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; etiology ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Orbit ; blood supply ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Reflex, Trigeminocardiac ; Vision, Low ; etiology