[Structural damage of epidural catheters during combined spinal epidural anaesthesia: a lightmicroscopical study].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a risk of epidural catheter damage during the advancement of the spinal needle through an epidural needle in clinical use.


METHODS
A total of 100 catheters (50 from CSE kits with a pencil-point type spinal needle and 50 from CSE kits with a Quincke type spinal needle) which had been used for routine CSE blocks were microscopically examined for any defects within the first 150 mm of the catheter. Additionally 10 unused new catheters were investigated.


RESULTS
Among 10 unused catheters 5 slight scratches were found, 92 out of 100 used catheters did not show any signs of use or scratches, 7 showed some signs of use and longitudinal scratches whereas another 1 showed a moderate scratch of less than 25% of the wall thickness. There was no difference in the prevalence of scratches between the CSE kits with pencil-point type spinal needles compared to those with Quincke-type spinal needles.


CONCLUSIONS
The CSE technique with either pencil-point type or Quincke-type spinal needles for subarachnoidal punctures was safe and showed no relevant epidural catheter damage.
Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany. bwahlen@web.de
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BM
Wahlen
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David
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Stanek
D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012306:Risk; D055815:Young Adult