Oculo-cardiac reflex during blepharoplasty with two different approaches

Objective To observe the oculocardiac reflex during the blepharoplasty and study its possible mechanism and counterpart defence measures. Methods A total of 42 cases through conjunctival incision and 38 cases through skin incision were studied by dynamic electrocardiography to analyst the changing of heart rate before and after operations. Results Heart rate decreasing by over 10 times during operations is regarded as the positive standard of the oculocardiac reflex. The oculocardiac reflex appeared in 13 cases of all cases (8cases through conjunctival incision and 5 cases through skin incision). The OCR was observated during resecting the orbital fats.The incidence of oculocardiac reflex was 16.25%. Conclusion The reflex can occur during blepharoplasty and it may result in heart rate decreasing and heart rhythm altering. We should operate gentlely and accurately,also avoid overly stress on eyeball to elicit the oculocardiac reflex.