title: Retained stimulating perineural catheters: a report of four cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the use of ambulatory continuous peripheral nerve blocks continues to grow, new management issues will inevitably arise. Previous descriptions of difficult catheter removal due to cutting, knotting, or kinking of the catheter have involved inpatients. A series of retained ambulatory interscalene catheters has recently been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a series of 4 retained stimulating perineural catheters, which could not be removed though the catheters appeared intact and not significantly bent on plain radiographs. We discuss the potential aspects of our block technique and the catheters' design that may have complicated their removal, as well as our management of these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stimulating perineural catheters may be difficult to remove. This may be particularly problematic for outpatients removing the catheters at home.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. abrahama@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: L Michele
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Noles
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Horn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local