Korean J Anesthesiol.  1988 Jun;21(3):442-445. 10.4097/kjae.1988.21.3.442.

Fixation of Epidural Catheters using Blood Set - Report of 120 cases

• Chang BY
• Kim SJ
• Kim HS
• Kim KM
• Choi BJ

• KMID: 2116495
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1988.21.3.442

Abstract

Secure fixation is essential for continous epidural catheterization on a long-term-basis. Adhesive tape or surgical knots were commonly used for those patients, but the surgical knot method has a tendency to cause strangulation of catheter. Another invasive technique, subcutaneous tissue tunnelling is more safe than other methods but requires sophisticated technique and time. We employed a simple device using a blood transfusion set for patients who have epidural catheters placed safely on their backs. In 120 patients treated for postoperative and chronic pain by means of this technique, the results were as follows: 1) Five of 120 patients (4.2%) developed backache and pruritus, but there were no instances of respiratory depression, local infection and headache. 2) Nine of 120 patients (7.5%) failed booster-injections, but two cases were due to be non-technical errors. 3) The duration of fixation was 1-3 days in most cases (85%), the longest being for 21 days.

Keyword

Epidural; Continous; Fixation

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Back Pain
Blood Transfusion
Catheterization
Catheters*
Chronic Pain
Headache
Humans
Pruritus
Respiratory Insufficiency
Subcutaneous Tissue
Adhesives