Trigeminocardiac Reflex Induced by Electrohemostasis during Total Ear Canal Ablation in a Dog

A 14 kg, 9-year-old, spayed female, Cocker Spaniel was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University with a history of head tilt and circling. Otitis externa and media were diagnosed by computerized tomography, and total ear canal ablation was performed. In preanesthetic evaluation, systemic hypertension and second-degree atrioventricular block were observed, but there was no regurgitation through the heart valves. Systemic hypertension was managed with amlodipine (0.1 mg/kg, PO, BID) for the anesthesia. The dog was premedicated with cefazolin (22 mg/kg, IV) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with alfaxalone (2 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with isoflurane and 100% oxygen following intubation. During surgery, vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure and body temperature) were maintained within normal ranges, but bradycardia was observed and corrected with glycopyrrolate (5 ug/kg IV, twice). During subcuticular suture, electrohemostasis was applied at the incision line, which was close to the trigeminal nerve. In no time at all, heart rate dramatically decreased from 110 to 60 beats per minute. No additional treatment was done because mean blood pressure was maintained above 70 mmHg. The heart rate recovered according to the decrease of end tidal isoflurane concentration and there were no complications associated with the anesthesia and surgery. Sudden bradycardia after electrical stimulation around the trigeminal nerve was considered as trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). It is recommended to be careful of bradycardia from TCR when electrocautery is used in the craniofacial area during surgery.

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