Assessing the Frequency of Trigeminocardiac Reflex in Maxillary and Mandibular Cyst Operations

A total of 34 patients, including 17 undergoing maxillary and 17 undergoing mandibular cyst enucleations, were included in the study. Evaluation of the patients was performed using orthopantomogram films. The distances of the relevant cysts from surrounding vital structures were recorded, confirmed, and documented as necessary with cone beam computed tomography images if less than or greater than 1 mm.

Patients were divided into 2 groups, evenly comprising 17 patients each in maxilla and mandible groups. The surgeries included in the study were performed by a single surgeon. Surgical procedures utilized crestal incisions with horizontal and vertical relaxing incisions related to the size of the cysts.

The follow-up of the trigeminocardiac reflex (TKR) was conducted due to the occurrence of sudden bradycardia that was unprecedented following a tachycardia, which could develop within a few seconds and showed improvement when the procedure was paused. To ensure accurate and timely monitoring of this sudden process and to track potential asystole, patients were preferred to be monitored. Monitoring was facilitated using 5-channel Contec Medical Systems (Hebei, China) monitors. Throughout the procedure, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded.

The records were obtained during 6 separate surgical stages: firstly, during local anesthesia application; subsequently, during incision, flap elevation, removal of the bone barrier, manipulation and extraction of the cyst, irrigation, and suturing stages. Sudden changes occurring during the procedure were recorded along with their timing.

In defining TCR (Trigeminocardiac Reflex) in the literature, various reference measurement methods include sudden drops in heart rate by more than 10%, more than 20%, or dropping below 60 beats per minute. To highlight these different proportional reference drop values, severity grading was used in the observed TCR findings. Sudden drops in heart rate between 10% and 20% were classified as mild TCR (TKR-1), drops exceeding 20% and heart rate falling below 60 bpm as moderate TCR (TKR-2), and the presence of asystole, syncope, or need for atropine application as severe TCR (TCR-3). The total TCR across all grades was termed as t-TCR. TCR calculation was based on heart rate measurements taken at the beginning of each surgical stage.

To exclude vasovagal syncope, commonly cited as the most frequent cause of neurological emergencies, and high anxiety as etiological factors, patients initially underwent anxiety assessments. Individuals with high anxiety levels were excluded from the study. Patients' anxiety levels were assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S).