Abstract
A case of bradycardia conceivably caused by vagovagal reflex after pharyngeal flap operation is reported. The patient was a 5-year-old girl. She was diagnosed as submucus cleft palate and was referred to our department for evaluation of speech. Her preoperative general condition was good. A pharyngeal flap operation was performed under general anaesthesia. Pre-medication was not given, and oxygen-sevoflurane was used for general anaesthesia. During the operation, the cardiovascular circulation was stable, and an electrocardiogram did not show any abnormality. On the third postoperative day, bradycardia was found. Her general condition was stable and no other abnormal signs were found. The bradycardia improved after removal of an oral splint covering the palatal wound on the seventh postoperative day. In this case, it was suspected that pneumogastric nerve reflex reaction and bradycardia were caused by mechanical stimulation of the oral splint and postoperative edema.
