Vagal Responses to Adjustable Sutures in Strabismus Correction

The oculocardiac reflex is a recognized complication of ocular stimulation, precipitated most commonly by traction on the extraocular muscles. To determine the true incidence of occurrence of the oculocardiac reflex during suture adjustments, 20 patients undergoing suture adjustment were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm abnormalities during the suture adjustment. A control group of ten patients with strabismus were studied postoperatively for comparison. Thirteen study patients and two control patients were noted to have a vagal response (P