The oculocardiac reflex in strabismus surgery.

During strabismus surgery on 81 extraocular muscles in 49 children the cardiac response to calibrated traction on each of the muscles operated on was studied through the use of a microdisplacement transducer and the tachometer of a cardiac monitor. There was no significant difference in the frequency of induction of the oculocardiac reflex between the medial rectus and the other muscles or between the two eyes. However, quick traction provoked a reflex in 87% of instances, whereas progressive traction did so in only 51% of instances, a significant difference (p less than 0.05). Thus, because the oculocardiac reflex is frequent during strabismus surgery, cardiac monitoring during the operation and minimal, gentle manipulation of the extraocular muscles are important.