title: Epidural catheter misplaced into the thoracic cavity: Utilized to provide interpleural analgesia.
abstract: Thoracic epidural analgesia is one of the most effective and time-tested modalities of providing postthoracotomy pain relief. It improves postoperative pulmonary outcome. Nevertheless, being a blind procedure several complications have been associated with the technique. Pleural puncture is one rare complication that might occur following thoracic epidural catheterization. We have discussed a patient who underwent a right thoracotomy for excision of emphysematous bulla of lung under general anesthesia with thoracic epidural. The epidural catheter was misplaced in the pleural cavity and was detected intraoperatively after thoracotomy. The catheter was left in situ and was successfully utilized to provide postoperative analgesia via the interpleural route.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry - 607 402, India.
authors.forename: M Thiriloga
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sundary
keywords: Intrapleural analgesia; pleural puncture; thoracic epidural; thoracotomy