Thoracic epidural catheter insertion using the caudal approach assisted with an electrical nerve stimulator in young children.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether thoracic epidural catheter placement using the caudal approach and assisted with an electrical stimulator could be performed in young children.


METHODS
Ten young children (1-4 years) who underwent abdominal surgeries were studied. Under general anesthesia without muscle relaxants, caudal catheter placement was performed using an 18-gauge Crawford-type needle and a 20-gauge radiopaque epidural catheter with a stainless-steel stylet. A metal adapter and a 3-way stopcock were attached to the catheter to connect to an electrical stimulator and to inject physiological saline. Electrical stimulation was performed intermittently while advancing the catheter until it reached the target length. The catheter position was confirmed on postoperative roentgenogram.


RESULTS
The mean age of the subjects was 32.2 +/- 10.1 months (13-48 months), and the height was 85.3 +/- 6.1 cm (72-93 cm). In 9 of 10 patients, an epidural catheter could be placed at the first insertion. In 1 patient, the catheter could be placed successfully at the second insertion. The electrical current required for muscle contraction at the target length was 5.8 +/- 1.5 mA.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrical stimulation reliably indicated the location of the catheter tip. This technique for thoracic epidural catheter insertion was easy to perform and could be used in young children.
Tamai
Hisayoshi
H
Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. tamaih-dis@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Sawamura
Shigehito
S
Kanamori
Yutaka
Y
Takeda
Kenji
K
Chinzei
Mieko
M
Hanaoka
Kazuo
K
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009339:Needles; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013193:Stainless Steel