title: Management of the sheared epidural catheter: is surgical extraction really necessary?
abstract: Trauma to epidural catheters on insertion or removal may result in shearing or breakage. Although there is no evidence of neurologic sequelae from a sheared catheter, many reports still advocate eventual surgical removal. The literature suggests the following options: (1) using slow continuous force at all times; (2) discontinuing application of force if the catheter begins to stretch and reapplying traction several hours later; (3) placing of the patient in the same position as insertion; (4) placing the patient in the lateral decubitus position if possible; (5) attempting to remove in extreme flexion if the previous interventions are not efficacious; (6) attempting extension if flexion fails; (7) attempting removal after injection of preservative-free normal saline through the catheter; (8) considering use of a convex surgical frame; (9) considering computed tomographic scan to identify the etiology of entrapment; (10) considering leaving a retained epidural catheter in place in adult patients; (11) providing patient education regarding "red flags" to watch out for; and (12) neurosurgical consultation for all cases in which the catheter fragment is in the spinal canal.
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Center, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fleischmann
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004824:Epidural Space; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans