Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents / Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p < 0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Esclarecer a importância do ano de residência e outros fatores que influenciam o sucesso do cateterismo epidural torácico (CET) em pacientes submetidos à toracotomia. MÉTODOS: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, os dados foram retrospectivamente analisados a partir dos prontuários de 415 pacientes. Todos os pacientes assinaram os termos de consentimento informado. As tentativas de CET foram divididas em dois grupos: segundo-terceiro ano (Grupo I) e quarto ano (Grupo II), de acordo com o ano de residência. Dados demográficos, características das tentativas de CET e todas as dificuldades e complicações durante o CET foram registrados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS: A taxa de sucesso global de CET foi semelhante entre os grupos. Os níveis de colocação do cateter, o número e a duração das tentativas não foram diferentes entre os grupos (p > 0,05). A alteração do nível de inserção da agulha foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo II (p = 0,008), enquanto que a parestesia foi significativamente maior no Grupo I (p = 0,007). As taxas de cefaleia durante e após punção dural foram maiores no Grupo I. Um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior e o nível do local de inserção foram fatores significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório, mas independentes da experiência dos residentes (p < 0,001, 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: O IMC e o nível do local de inserção foram significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório. Pensamos que o ano de residência não é um fator significativo em termos de taxa de sucesso global para o CET, mas é importante para o resultado desses procedimentos.

Percutaneous Transforaminal Epidural Injection Method in an Experimental Rat: Minimally Invasive Drug Delivery Method to Spinal Epidural Space

OBJECTIVE: To compare a newly developed minimally-invasive method for percutaneous transforaminal epidural injection (INJ group) with the existing method for lumbar epidural catheterization (CATH group). METHOD: Through anatomical review of experimental rats, the cephalic one fourth of the neural foramen was selected as the target point for drug delivery. After the rats had undergone lumbar epidural catheterization, lidocaine, and 1% methylene blue were injected through the unilateral or bilateral L5/6 neural foramen in the INJ group, and through an epidural catheter in the CATH group. Measurement of body weight and the mechanical allodynia test before and after injection of lidocaine, and fine dissection after injection were performed. RESULTS: Results of the mechanical allodynia test of 1.0% lidocaine 50 microl injection in the CATH group were statistically similar to those of 0.5% lidocaine 100 microl injection in the INJ group. The results of 2.0% lidocaine 50 microl injection in the CATH group were statistically similar to those of 1.0% lidocaine 100 microl injection in the INJ group. After dissection, only one distal partial spinal nerve was stained by methylene blue 50 microl through the transforaminal pathway. However, the dorsal root ganglion, nerve root, and adjacent hemi-partial spinal cord were stained by methylene blue 100 microl through the transforaminal pathway. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous transforaminal epidural injection is practical, easy, and safe, and, in particular, does not cause significant pain compared to the existing lumbar epidural catheterization. We expect this method to be effective in an animal study showing that drug delivery to the spinal epidural space is necessary.

Entrapping of Epidural Catheter after Postoperative Epidural Pain Control: A case report

The insertion of an epidural catheter into the epidural space to control postoperative pain is very common, as the technique is safe, effective and easy to perform. The numbers of documented problems are remarkably few, particularly those encountered during removal of the catheter. A 65-year-old man with stomach cancer was scheduled for a subtotal gastrectomy. The patient requested epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control. The patient was placed in the right decubitus position, and a 17-gauge Arrow Tuohy needle was inserted midline at the T12-L1 vertebral interspace, with the epidural space located using the loss-of-resistance technique. A 19-gauge Arrow Flextip PlusTM epidural catheter was inserted and advanced 5 cm into the epidural space, without difficulty or resistance. Two days after the administration of epidural analgesia, when the effects of local analgesics and opioid had worn off, an attempt was made to remove the catheter in the sitting position. Increased pressure was applied, but the catheter stretched and the wire reinforcement within the catheter began to uncoil. The removal of the epidural catheter was stopped at this point. After three hours, the patient was placed in the right lateral decubitus position, with his legs flexed to his chest, and another attempt to remove the catheter was successful. Herein, a case of difficulty in removing an obstinate epidural catheter is reported.

Incidence of Paresthesia Related to the Insertion Length of Catheter during the Epidural Catheterization / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Continuous epidural catheterization is a popular and effective procedure for postoperative analgesia. However, continuous epidural catheterization has associated complications such as venous puncture, dural puncture, subarachnoid cannulation, suboptimal catheter placement, and paresthesia because the tip of the epidural catheter touches thenerves of the dura in the epidural space. In this study, we compared the incidence of paresthesia in two different lengths of epidural catheter insertion. METHODS: One hundred women undergoing gynecologic or orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study. All patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the insertion length of the epidural catheter 2 cm (group A) or 4 cm (group B). A Tuohy needle was inserted in the lumbarspinal region with a bevel directed cephalad by use of the median approach, and then the epidural space was confirmed by the loss of resistance technique with air. While the practitioner inserted an epidural catheter into the epidural space, a blind observer checked for paresthesia or withdrawal movement. RESULTS: In 97 included patients, 30.6% of the patients in group A (n = 49) had paresthesia, versus 31.3% in group B (n = 48). Withdrawal movements were represented in 2% and 6% of the patients in group A and group B, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of paresthesia and withdrawal movement between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear relationship for the incidence of catheter-related paresthesia according to the catheter length inserted into the epidural space for epidural analgesia.

Epidural Hematoma after Epidural Catheterization without Coagulopathy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Epidural hematoma after epidural catheterization is very rare but one of serious complications. Although true incidence and origin is unknown yet, coagulopathies and anticoagulant therapy are predominant risk factors. Other risk factors are NSAIDs treatment and ankylosing spondylitis. We experienced a case of epidural hematoma without any risk factors after epidural catheterization for postoperative pain control. We performed epidural catheterization before operation and postoperatively the patient received continuous epidural infusion for postoperative pain control. On the first operative day, the patient was noted to have developed complete paraplegia and hypoesthesia below L1 and anesthesia below L2 level. Immediately after noting we performed TL-spine MRI and epidural hematoma at T10 level was diagnosed and treated by decompressive laminectomy. But she has not fully recovered yet.

Epidural Abscess Following Continuous Epidural Catheterization for the Management of Chronic Cancer Pain: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Epidural abscess is a rare complication of epidural catheterization. Moreover, the early diagnosis of abscess may be difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and underlying painful disorder. It's outcome is strongly associated with the level of neurologic function at the time of diagnosis. We report the case of a cancer patient with diabetes mellitus, who developed an epidural abscess after 90 days of continuous epidural catheterization. In this case, the patient had no other neurologic symptom except for a tingling sensation in both legs, which recovered fully after surgery. This case demonstrates that the early diagnosis of epidural abscess and prompt surgical procedures are important, and can result in a good neurologic outcome.

Hazards of Epidural Catheterization / 대한마취과학회지

Since the epidural catheterization has been widely used for the purpose of anesthesia, diagnosis and pain control, there are various undesirable complications and hazards through the technical procedure or catheterization itself. Authors have experienced several hazards of location of the epidural catheter tip which were detected by epidurography performed the 1st. or 2nd. postoperative day with 50% Angiograffin. Hazards were as follows; 1) Single air bubble in the epidural space. 2) Inappropriate placement of the catheter tip. 3) Kinking of catheter in the epidural space. 4) Intravascular placement of the catheter.