title: The effect of tunnelling on epidural catheter migration.
abstract: A prospective, randomised study of 82 patients having postoperative epidural analgesia was performed to determine whether the tunnelling of an epidural catheter influences its migration. Tunnelling of the catheter subcutaneously for a distance of 5 cm reduced the incidence of inward migration of 1 cm or more (p < 0.01) compared to a standard method of fixation with a transparent adhesive dressing. This effect was more marked if the epidural catheter was sited in the thoracic rather than the lumbar area. Sixty two percent (n = 26) of tunnelled catheters remained within 0.5 cm of their original position compared to 38% (n = 16) of non-tunnelled catheters, although this difference was not statistically significant. Outward catheter migration was not reduced by subcutaneous tunnelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bougher
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ramage
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D001458:Bandages; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies