J Korean Pain Soc.  1997 May;10(1):64-68.

The Relationships between the Methods of the Epidural Catheter Fixation and the Postoperative Position Change of the Catheter

• Shin WJ
• Yeom JH
• Kim HS
• Kim YC
• Lee DH
• Kim KH
• Shim JC
• Hwang JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Patients mover more as their post operative pain decrease. With the increase in movement there will be a tendency for the epidural catheter to migrate out of its original position. We studied 2 methods of flxation of the epidural catheter and the changes in position as related to patient movement.
METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in Group A had their epidural catheter formed with a circular loop at the (skin) exit site then directed over the right shoulder. Group B had the epidural catheter flxed with Fixomull on the exit site without forming a circular loop. At the end of the operation, 3 mg of epidural morphine was injected via indwelling epidural catheter for postop- erative pain control. Epidural catheter depth was measured 24 hours later.
RESULTS
The overall rate of migration of epidural catheter was 61.9% In Group A, number of patients whose catheter migrated over 0.5 cm was 23 (69.9%) with l4 inward migration and 9 outward migration. Group B had 16 (53%) patients catheters migrate over 0.5 cm, with 2 patients having inward migration and 14 outward migration.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the rates of migration of epidural catheter were similar for both groups, the number of inner migration of catheter, which could result serious complications, was significantly lower in Group B than Group A. Based on our results we recommend the epidural catheter be fixed without a circular loop.

Keyword

Anesthetic techmque, epidural, catlcterization; Complication; mipation; Pain, postoperative

MeSH Terms

Catheters*
Humans
Morphine
Pain, Postoperative
Shoulder
Morphine