Accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus: tomographic analysis / Cateterização acidental do plexo venoso peridural: análise tomográfica

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inadvertent venous catheterizations occur in approximately 9% of lumbar epidural anesthetic procedures with catheter placement and, if not promptly recognized, can result in fatal consequences. The objective of this report is to describe a case of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus and its recording by computed tomography with contrast injection through the catheter. CASE REPORT: A female patient in her sixties, physical status II (ASA), underwent conventional cholecystectomy under balanced general anesthesia and an epidural with catheter for postoperative analgesia. During surgery, there was clinical suspicion of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus because of blood backflow through the catheter, confirmed by the administration of a test dose through the catheter. After the surgery, a CT scan was obtained after contrast injection through the catheter. Contrast was observed all the way from the skin to the azygos vein, passing through anterior and posterior epidural venous plexuses and intervertebral vein. CONCLUSION: It is possible to identify the actual placement of the epidural catheter, as well as to register an accidental catheterization of the epidural venous plexus, using computed tomography with contrast injection through the epidural catheter.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A cateterização venosa inadvertida ocorre em aproximadamente 9% das anestesias peridurais lombares com introdução de cateter e caso não seja prontamente reconhecida pode trazer consequências fatais. O objetivo deste relato é descrever um caso de cateterização acidental do plexo venoso peridural e o seu registro por tomografia computadorizada com injeção de contraste pelo cateter. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente feminina, sexagenária, estado físico II (ASA), submetida à colecistectomia convencional sob anestesia geral balanceada e peridural com cateter para analgesia pós-operatória. Durante cirurgia houve suspeição clínica de cateterização acidental do plexo venoso peridural, por refluxo de sangue pelo cateter, fato confirmado pela administração de dose-teste pelo cateter. Feita tomografia computadorizada com injeção de contraste pelo cateter, após o termino da cirurgia. Observado todo o trajeto do contraste desde a pele até a veia ázigo, passando pelo plexo venoso peridural anterior, posterior e veia intervertebral. CONCLUSÃO: É possível a identificação do real posicionamento do cateter peridural, bem como o registro da cateterização acidental do plexo venoso peridural, por meio de tomografia computadorizada com injeção de contraste pelo cateter peridural.

Accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus: tomographic analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inadvertent venous catheterizations occur in approximately 9% of lumbar epidural anesthetic procedures with catheter placement and, if not promptly recognized, can result in fatal consequences. The objective of this report is to describe a case of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus and its recording by computed tomography with contrast injection through the catheter. CASE REPORT: A female patient in her sixties, physical status II (ASA), underwent conventional cholecystectomy under balanced general anesthesia and an epidural with catheter for postoperative analgesia. During surgery, there was clinical suspicion of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus because of blood backflow through the catheter, confirmed by the administration of a test dose through the catheter. After the surgery, a CT scan was obtained after contrast injection through the catheter. Contrast was observed all the way from the skin to the azygos vein, passing through anterior and posterior epidural venous plexuses and intervertebral vein. CONCLUSION: It is possible to identify the actual placement of the epidural catheter, as well as to register an accidental catheterization of the epidural venous plexus, using computed tomography with contrast injection through the epidural catheter.

[Accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus: tomographic analysis]. / Cateterização acidental do plexo venoso peridural: análise tomográfica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inadvertent venous catheterizations occur in approximately 9% of lumbar epidural anesthetic procedures with catheter placement and, if not promptly recognized, can result in fatal consequences. The objective of this report is to describe a case of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus and its recording by computed tomography with contrast injection through the catheter. CASE REPORT: A female patient in her sixties, physical status II (ASA), underwent conventional cholecystectomy under balanced general anesthesia and an epidural with catheter for postoperative analgesia. During surgery, there was clinical suspicion of accidental catheterization of epidural venous plexus because of blood backflow through the catheter, confirmed by the administration of a test dose through the catheter. After the surgery, a CT scan was obtained after contrast injection through the catheter. Contrast was observed all the way from the skin to the azygos vein, passing through anterior and posterior epidural venous plexuses and intervertebral vein. CONCLUSION: It is possible to identify the actual placement of the epidural catheter, as well as to register an accidental catheterization of the epidural venous plexus, using computed tomography with contrast injection through the epidural catheter.

A new technique for long time catheterization of sacral epidural canal in rabbits.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we aimed to develop a simple and practical technique for chronic sacral epidural catheterization of rabbits. METHODS: We included ten rabbits weighing 2-2.5 kg in the study. After anesthesia and analgesia, we placed an epidural catheter by a 2 cm longitudinal skin incision in the tail above the sacral hiatus region. We confirmed localization by giving 1% lidocaine (leveling sensory loss and motor function loss of the lower extremity). The catheter was carried forward through a subcutaneous tunnel and fixed at the neck. RESULTS: Chronic caudal epidural catheter placement was succesful in all rabbits. The catheters stayed in place effectively for ten days. We encountered no catheter complications during this period. The localization of the catheter was reconfirmed by 1% lidocaine on the last day. After animals killing, we performed a laminectomy and verified localization of the catheter in the epidural space. CONCLUSIONS: Various methods for catheterization of the epidural space in animal models exist in the literature. Epidural catheterization of rabbits can be accomplished by atlanto-occipital, lumbar or caudal routes by amputation of the tail. Intrathecal and epidural catheterization techniques defined in the literature necessitate surgical skill and knowledge of surgical procedures like laminectomy and tail amputation. Our technique does not require substantial surgical skill, anatomical integrity is preserved and malposition of the catheter is not encountered. In conclusion, we suggest that our simple and easily applicable new epidural catheterization technique can be used as a model in experimental animal studies.

Analgesia postoperatoria con tramadol en Hernioplastia incisional: nuestra experiencia / Experience from the use of tramadol for post operative analgesia in Incisional Hernioplastia

El dolor agudo es frecuente en los pacientes que requieren intervención quirúrgica. Su tratamiento satisfactorio es uno de los retos más importantes, presentando ventajas la terapéutica epidural y la vía endovenosa. Objetivo: Describir el uso de la analgesia con tramadol por vía epidural versus vía endovenosa, en el manejo del dolor posoperatorio de pacientes con hernio plastia incisional abdominal. Métodos: se realizó un estudio comparativo en 60 pacientes que fueron distribuidos, de forma aleatoria, en dos grupos de 30 cada uno. Después de la anestesia peridural continua a través de un catéter epidural lumbar, nivel L3-L4 con anestésicos locales y finalizada la cirugía, al Grupo A (n=30) le administramos por vía epidural el tramadol de 100 mg diluido en 8ml de solución salina fisiológica cada seis horas y en el Grupo B (n=30), utilizamos el tramadol endovenoso (EV), 100 mg cada seis horas. Evaluamos variables respiratorias, hemodinámicas y el alivio del dolor por Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) a las 1, 8, 12 y 16 horas de administrarse el analgésico.Los datos fueron procesados en el paquete estadístico: SPSS, se estudió la calidad de la analgesia, la necesidad de analgesia de rescate ylos efectos adversos.Resultados: La analgesia postoperatoria con tramadol por vía epidural y EV fue efectiva en el 78,33 por ciento de los pacientes;predominaron los pacientes ASA II; las variables hemodinámicas y respiratorias se mantuvieron estables, se usó analgesia de rescate en el 21,6 por ciento de los pacientes y los efectos secundarios fueron las náuseas y los vómitos en un 21por ciento de los mismos.Se concluye que la analgesia postoperatoria con tramadol por vía EV y peridural es efectiva en la hernio plastia incisional (AU)

Acute pain is common in those patients who have undergone surgery and their relief is one of the greatest challenges when assisting them. The epidural therapeutics and intravenous (IV) route of administration have proven to be the most advantageous ones. A comparative study in patients who underwent abdominal incisional hernioplasty was carried out with the objective to compare the use of tramadol given by epidural or IV route for postoperative pain management. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 persons each one. After of the local anesthesia with a continuous epidural catheter, level L3-L4 and having finished the surgery, the patients from group A were administered 100mg tramadol in 8ml of saline solution by epidural route every 6 hours and the patients from group B were given 100mg tramadol intravenously every 6 hours, the following parameters were evaluated: breathing, hemodynamic and pain relief by analogous visual scale after 1, 8, 12, and 16 hours of having administered the analgesic.The data were processed by SPSS statistical package; the quality of the analgesia, the necessity of salvage analgesia and the adverse reactions were studied, obtaining as results that the use of tramadol epidural and intravenously for postoperative analgesia was effective in the 78,33 per cent of the patients. ASA II patients predominated, respiratory and hemodynamic variables remained stables; salvage analgesia was used in 21, 6 per cent of patients, the adverse reactions were nausea and vomiting in a 21per cent. Conclusions: the postoperative analgesia with epidural and intravenous tramadol is effective in the incisional hernioplasty (AU)

Nova técnica de cateterização de uso prolongado em canal peridural sacral de coelhos / A new Technique for long time catheterization of sacral epidural canal in rabbits / Nueva técnica de cateterización de uso prolongado en canal epidural sacral de conejos

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver uma técnica simples e prática para a cateterização crônica em canal peridural sacral de coelhos. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu dez coelhos com peso entre 2 e 2,5 kg. Após a anestesia e a analgesia, colocamos um cateter peridural através de uma incisão longitudinal de 2 cm na cauda acima da região do hiato sacral. Confirmamos a localização com a administração de lidocaína a 1% (nivelamento da perda sensorial e da função motora dos membros inferiores). O cateter foi introduzido através de um túnel subcutâneo até o pescoço, onde foi fixado. RESULTADOS: A implantação de cateter crônico peridural caudal foi bem-sucedida em todos os coelhos. Os cateteres permaneceram eficazmente no lugar por dez dias, sem intercorrências durante esse período. A localização do cateter foi reconfirmada por lidocaína a 1% no último dia. Após matar os animais, procedeu-se laminectomia para localização do cateter no espaço peridural. CONCLUSÕES: Há vários métodos de cateterização do espaço peridural em modelos animais na literatura. A cateterização do espaço peridural em coelhos pode ser feita através das vias atlanto-occipital, lombar ou caudal por amputação da cauda. As técnicas de cateterização intratecal e peridural descritas na literatura exigem perícia cirúrgica e conhecimento de procedimentos cirúrgicos, como laminectomia e amputação da cauda. A nossa técnica não requer grande habilidade cirúrgica, a integridade anatômica foi preservada e não houve mau posicionamento de cateter. Em conclusão, podemos sugerir que a nova técnica de cateterização peridural é simples, facilmente aplicável e pode ser usada em estudos experimentais de modelos animais.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we aimed to develop a simple and practical technique for chronic sacral epidural catheterization of rabbits. METHODS: We included ten rabbits weighing 2-2.5 kg in the study. After anesthesia and analgesia, we placed an epidural catheter by a 2cm longitudinal skin incision in the tail above the sacral hiatus region. We confirmed localization by giving 1% lidocaine (leveling sensory loss and motor function loss of the lower extremity). The catheter was carried forward through a subcutaneous tunnel and fixed at the neck. RESULTS: Chronic caudal epidural catheter placement was succesful in all rabbits. The catheters stayed in place effectively for ten days. We encountered no catheter complications during this period. The localization of the catheter was reconfirmed by 1% lidocaine on the last day. After animals killing, we performed a laminectomy and verified localization of the catheter in the epidural space. CONCLUSIONS: Various methods for catheterization of the epidural space in animal models exist in the literature. Epidural catheterization of rabbits can be accomplished by atlanto-occipital, lumbar or caudal routes by amputation of the tail. Intrathecal and epidural catheterization techniques defined in the literature necessitate surgical skill and knowledge of surgical procedures like laminectomy and tail amputation. Our technique does not require substantial surgical skill, anatomical integrity is preserved and malposition of the catheter is not encountered. In conclusion, we suggest that our simple and easily applicable new epidural catheterization technique can be used as a model in experimental animal studies.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar una técnica sencilla y práctica para la cateterización crónica en canal epidural sacral de conejos. MÉTODOS: El estudio incluyó diez conejos con peso entre 2 y 2,5 kg. Después de la anestesia y la analgesia, pusimos un catéter epidural por medio de una incisión longitudinal de 2 cm en la cola por encima de la región del hiato sacral. Confirmamos la localización con la administración de lidocaína al 1% (nivelación de la pérdida sensorial y de la función motora de los miembros inferiores). El catéter se introdujo por medio de un túnel subcutáneo hasta el cuello, en dónde finalmente se fijó. RESULTADOS: La implantación de catéter crónico epidural de cola fue exitosa en todos los conejos. Los catéteres permanecieron eficazmente en el lugar por diez días, sin intercurrencias durante ese período. La ubicación del catéter fue reconfirmada por la lidocaína al 1% en el último día. Después de sacrificar a los animales, se procedió a la laminectomía y se verificó la ubicación del catéter en el espacio epidural. CONCLUSIONES: En la literatura existen varios métodos de cateterización del espacio epidural en modelos animales. La cateterización del espacio epidural en conejos puede ser hecha por medio de las vías atlanto-occipital, lumbar o de cola por amputación de la cola. Las técnicas de cateterización intratecal y epidural descritas en la literatura exigen una pericia quirúrgica y el conocimiento de procedimientos quirúrgicos, como la laminectomía y la amputación de la cola. Nuestra técnica no requiere gran habilidad quirúrgica, la integridad anatómica se preservó y no hubo un mal posicionamiento del catéter. Como conclusión, podemos sugerir que la nueva técnica de cateterización epidural es sencilla, fácilmente aplicable y que puede ser usada en estudios experimentales de modelos animales.

Efeitos da inclinação de agulha peridural e diferentes velocidades de injeção na distribuição de anestesia peridural / Effects of epidural needle rotation and different speeds of injection on the distribution of epidural block / Efectos de la inclinación de la aguja epidural y diferentes velocidades en la distribución de la anestesia epidural

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Este estudo prospectivo e randomizado avaliou o efeito das velocidades da injeção na anestesia peridural unilateral sobre as características do bloqueio, parâmetros hemodinâmicos e critérios de alta hospitalar em 60 pacientes. Levobupivacaína a 5% foi administrada nos pacientes (n = 30) do Grupo F durante 1 minuto (rápido) e durante 3 minutos nos pacientes (n = 30) do Grupo S (lento), com agulha em ângulo de 5º-10º a partir da linha média. O sucesso da anestesia peridural unilateral foi mais significante no Grupo S do que no Grupo F (70,3% vs 16%, p < 0,001). Nos pacientes do Grupo S, o tempo necessário para o nível máximo de bloqueio sensitivo nos lados não operados foi mais curto e o tempo de regressão para dois segmentos, mais longo (p < 0,05). O tempo para walk-out foi mais longo no Grupo F (p < 0,05). Consideramos que a administração lenta de anestésico local em anestesia peridural unilateral é mais eficaz do que a administração rápida.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomised study examined the effect of injection speeds for unilateral epidural anesthesia on block characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and discharge criteria in 60 patients. Levobupivacaine 5% was administered to Group F over 1 min (fast) and to Group S over 3 min (slow) (n = 30 each) with the needle angulated at 5º-10º from the midline. Unilateral epidural block was significantly more successful in Group S than in Group F (70.3% vs. 16%; p < 0.001). On the non-operated sides in group S, the maximal sensorial block time was shorter and the regression time for 2 segments was longer (p < 0.05). And the walk-out time was longer in group F (p < 0.05). We consider that the slow administration of local anesthetic in unilateral epidural anesthesia is more effective than rapid administration.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Este estudio prospectivo y aleatorio ha evaluado el efecto de las velocidades de la inyección para la anestesia epidural unilateral sobre las características del bloqueo, parámetros hemodinámicos y criterios del alta hospitalaria en 60 pacientes. La levobupivacaína al 5% se administró en los pacientes (n = 30) del Grupo F durante 1 minuto (rápido) y durante 3 minutos en los pacientes (n = 30) del grupo S (lento), con una aguja en ángulo de 5º-10º a partir de la línea media. El éxito de la anestesia epidural unilateral fue más significativo en el Grupo S que en el Grupo F (70,3% vs 16%, p < 0,001). En los pacientes del Grupo S, el tiempo necesario para el nivel máximo de bloqueo sensitivo en los lados no operados fue más corto y el tiempo de regresión para los dos segmentos, más largo (p < 0,05). El tiempo para walk-out fue más largo en el Grupo F (p < 0,05). Consideramos que la administración lenta de anestésico local en la anestesia epidural unilateral es más eficaz que la administración rápida.

Tramadol frente a morfina en la analgesia peridural posoperatoria de pacientes con histerectomía abdominal / Tramadol versus morphine for postoperative peridural analgesia in patients with abdominal hysterectomy

Introducción: el tratamiento del dolor posoperatorio es necesario para evitar sus efectos desfavorables. Objetivo: comparar la analgesia posoperatoria con el uso de tramadol y morfina por vía peridural en pacientes con histerectomía abdominal. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, longitudinal prospectivo en 140 pacientes que se les efectuó histerectomía por vía abdominal en el Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay". Se aplicó anestesia general orotraqueal y se utilizó el catéter epidural para el manejo del dolor posoperatorio. Se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos, cada uno con 70 pacientes. Un grupo recibió analgesia con morfina, 4 mg, y el otro tramadol, 100 mg. Se estudiaron las variables: duración, calidad de la analgesia posoperatoria y presencia de reacciones adversas. Resultados: la duración de la analgesia posoperatoria fue mayor en el grupo en que se empleó morfina (16,7 ± 4,0 h) que en el de tramadol (13,6 ± 4,2 h). Los valores de la escala visual análoga resultaron más elevados en el grupo Tramadol y con menor cantidad de reacciones adversas (38,6 por ciento) comparado con el grupo Morfina (55,7 por ciento). Conclusiones: la duración y la calidad de la analgesia posoperatoria en las pacientes que se les efectuó histerectomía, resultó mayor con el empleo de morfina peridural, aunque la utilización del tramadol por igual vía, constituye una alternativa eficaz y con menor incidencia de efectos adversos(AU)

Introduction: the treatment of postoperative pain is necessary to prevent its unfavorable effects. Objective: compare the use of peridural tramadol versus morphine for postoperative analgesia in patients with abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: an observational analytical prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 140 patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy at Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Central Military Hospital. General orotracheal anesthesia was administered and an epidural catheter used to manage postoperative pain. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups, each with 70 members. One group received analgesia with morphine 4 mg and the other tramadol 100 mg. The variables studied were duration, quality of postoperative analgesia and presence of adverse reactions. Results: duration of postoperative analgesia was longer in the morphine group (16.7 ± 4.0 h) versus the tramadol group (13.6 ± 4.2 h). Visual analog scale values were higher in the Tramadol group with fewer adverse reactions (38.6 percent) versus the Morphine group (55.7 percent). Conclusions: the duration and quality of postoperative analgesia in patients with hysterectomy were greater with the use of peridural morphine, though the use of peridural tramadol is an effective alternative with fewer adverse effects.(AU)

Tramadol frente a morfina en la analgesia peridural posoperatoria de pacientes con histerectomía abdominal / Tramadol versus morphine for postoperative peridural analgesia in patients with abdominal hysterectomy

Introducción: el tratamiento del dolor posoperatorio es necesario para evitar sus efectos desfavorables. Objetivo: comparar la analgesia posoperatoria con el uso de tramadol y morfina por vía peridural en pacientes con histerectomía abdominal. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, longitudinal prospectivo en 140 pacientes que se les efectuó histerectomía por vía abdominal en el Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay". Se aplicó anestesia general orotraqueal y se utilizó el catéter epidural para el manejo del dolor posoperatorio. Se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos, cada uno con 70 pacientes. Un grupo recibió analgesia con morfina, 4 mg, y el otro tramadol, 100 mg. Se estudiaron las variables: duración, calidad de la analgesia posoperatoria y presencia de reacciones adversas. Resultados: la duración de la analgesia posoperatoria fue mayor en el grupo en que se empleó morfina (16,7 ± 4,0 h) que en el de tramadol (13,6 ± 4,2 h). Los valores de la escala visual análoga resultaron más elevados en el grupo Tramadol y con menor cantidad de reacciones adversas (38,6 por ciento) comparado con el grupo Morfina (55,7 por ciento). Conclusiones: la duración y la calidad de la analgesia posoperatoria en las pacientes que se les efectuó histerectomía, resultó mayor con el empleo de morfina peridural, aunque la utilización del tramadol por igual vía, constituye una alternativa eficaz y con menor incidencia de efectos adversos

Introduction: the treatment of postoperative pain is necessary to prevent its unfavorable effects. Objective: compare the use of peridural tramadol versus morphine for postoperative analgesia in patients with abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: an observational analytical prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 140 patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy at Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Central Military Hospital. General orotracheal anesthesia was administered and an epidural catheter used to manage postoperative pain. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups, each with 70 members. One group received analgesia with morphine 4 mg and the other tramadol 100 mg. The variables studied were duration, quality of postoperative analgesia and presence of adverse reactions. Results: duration of postoperative analgesia was longer in the morphine group (16.7 ± 4.0 h) versus the tramadol group (13.6 ± 4.2 h). Visual analog scale values were higher in the Tramadol group with fewer adverse reactions (38.6 percent) versus the Morphine group (55.7 percent). Conclusions: the duration and quality of postoperative analgesia in patients with hysterectomy were greater with the use of peridural morphine, though the use of peridural tramadol is an effective alternative with fewer adverse effects.

Fístula cutánea de líquido cefalorraquídeo por catéter peridural / Cutaneous fistula of cerebrospinal fluid by peridural catheter

Introducción: La fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo tras la colocación de un catéter peridural para el tratamiento del dolor crónico en una paciente oncológica es una complicación rara. Objetivos: Describir la conducta perioperatoria y la evolución de una paciente oncológica con dolor crónico, en la que se utilizó para analgesia un catéter peridural durante tiempo prolongado, que presentó una fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Presentación de caso: Paciente femenina de 32 años de edad con un carcinoma de ovario avanzado a la que se le colocó un catéter peridural a nivel de L2- L3 para la administración de analgesia con anestésicos locales y morfina liofilizada. A los 28 días comenzó con pérdida abundante de líquido en el sitio de inserción del catéter. Se estudió por citología y se corroboró la presencia de líquido cefalorraquídeo, por lo que se retiró el catéter. Se indicó, abundante reposición de líquidos y aminofilina por vía oral una tableta cada 8 horas. Se realizó vendaje compresivo del orificio cutáneo. A las 24 horas se mantiene la pérdida de líquido por lo que se realizó parche hemático. Evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Conclusiones: Las fístulas cutáneas cerebroespinales constituyen complicaciones muy poco frecuentes en la práctica anestesiológica, de etiología multifactorial e imprecisa, con una fundamentación fisiopatológica y una conducta terapéutica aun por definir, en las que el parche epidural con sangre autóloga parece ser una alternativa adecuada.

The cerebrospinal fluid fistula after the insertion of a peridural catheter to treat the chronic pain in an Oncology patient is an uncommon complication. Objectives: To describe the perioperative behavior and the course of an Oncology patient presenting with chronic pain using a long-term peridural catheter for analgesia, as well as a cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Case presentation: A female patient aged 32 presenting with an advanced ovarian carcinoma; a peridural catheter was passed at L2-L3 level to administration of analgesia with local anesthetics and lyophilized morphine. At 28 days she had an abundant loss of fluid in the insertion site of catheter. She was studied by cytology corroborating the presence of cerebrospinal fluid and removing the catheter. The prescription was a significant reestablishment of fluid and aminophyline per os (a tablet every 8 hours). A compressing bandage was placed over the cutaneous orifice. At 24 hrs the fluid loss subsists being necessary a hematic patch. She had a satisfactory course. Conclusions: The cutaneous cerebrospinal fistulae are uncommon complications in the anesthesia practice; it is of multifactorial and imprecise origin with a pathophysiological basis and a therapeutical behavior still not well defined where the epidural patch with autologous blood seems a appropriate alternative.

Seguimento de cateter peridural para analgesia pós-operatória / The follow-up of the use of peridural catheter in the analgesia post surgery

Introdução: Uma forma bastante eficiente de analgesia pós-operatória é através de injeção de fármacos por via peridural. Para isso é mantido cateter peridural e a principal complicação é saída do cateter. Outras complicações que podem ocorrer são: dobra, migração para espaço subaracnóideo, secção, perda da conexão e infecção. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia analgésica e verificar a incidência de complicações relacionadas ao cateter para analgesia pós-operatória. Método: Foram acompanhados pacientes com cateter peridural no período de novembro de 2006 a abril de 2007. Resultados: Foram avaliados 32 pacientes e a média do tempo de permanência do cateter foi de 4,3 dias. Houve 3 (9,3%) complicações: 2 (6,3%) saídas de cateter e 1 (3,1%) Proteus mirabillis na cultura de ponta do cateter. A satisfação dos pacientes com a técnica ocorreu em 16 (50%) dos pacientes. Conclusão: O uso de cateter peridural para analgesia pós-operatória promove benefícios em grande parcela dos pacientes, sem complicações significativas.