Laryngospasm during subarachnoid block.

Central neuraxial block is associated with increased vagal tone. We report a patient who developed laryngospasm and stridor under spinal anaesthesia. This was treated successfully with i.v. atropine and fluids. We propose that the laryngospasm was secondary to increased vagal tone under the spinal anaesthetic. Such a manifestation of increased vagal tone under spinal anaesthesia has not been reported previously.