Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2007 Feb;50(2):357-360.

A case of accidental shearing of epidural catheter during combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean section

• Lee BJ
• Kim SR

Abstract

The insertion of epidural catheter into the epidural space for control of postoperative pain, in the anesthetic practice, is very common, since, the technique is safe, effective and easy. Nevertheless, although not very frequent, inadequate positions, these included: coiled, knots and shearing of catheters. A 35-year-old woman with pregnancy 40 weeks had a combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. After 0.5% heavy bupivacaine 8 mg was injected intrathecally, we inserted epidural catheter through Tuohy needle for postoperative pain control. During insertion of epidural catheter, the blood through epidural catheter was aspirated. We pulled out the epidural catheter while the Tuohy needle is in place. The epidural catheter was cut. The catheter tip separated and left in epidural space. The distal tip of the catheter was not detected using a simple X-ray and ultrasonogram. We decided to leave the catheter tip into the epidural space, because the parturients was asymptomatic.

Keyword

Accidental shearing of catheter; Epidural anesthesia; Epidural catheter

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia, Epidural*
Bupivacaine
Catheters*
Cesarean Section*
Epidural Space
Female
Humans
Needles
Pain, Postoperative
Pregnancy
Ultrasonography
Bupivacaine