Inadvertent Extra-Epidural Catheter Placement in an Infant

A Pediatric Epidural Catheter Fracture Suspected to Be Caused by a Glue

A 65-day-old baby boy underwent the Kasai procedure under general and epidural anesthesia. The epidural catheter was inserted between the T11 and T12 vertebrae under general anesthesia, and secured with sterile tape, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue, and film. Intra- and postoperative epidural analgesia was effective and there was no leakage around the insertion site. On the third day post-surgery, we tried to remove the catheter but discovered it was fractured 67mm from the tip. During the ultrasound examination, we observed a hyper-echoic structure located between the laminae of T11/T12. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon recommended removing the catheter to avoid long-term neurological sequelae of leaving the catheter, such as infection, fibrosis, migration, and irritation of neural tissues. It was surgically removed uneventfully on postoperative day 4. We requested the manufacturer to inspect the cross-section of the catheter under a microscope. The cross-section showed that 20% of the area had undergone tearing due to traction, while the remaining 80% was cracked. We also requested the manufacturer simulation after that. The same catheter, fixed on the polyolefin resin plate instead of skin with the same tape and glue, was easily fractured after three days. It is suspected that using ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue caused the catheter to fracture. When using glue containing ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate for pediatric epidural catheter fixation, special care is advised.

Unilateral hemiparesis with thoracic epidural in an adolescent

Objective. Unilateral sensory and motor blockade is known to occur with epidural anesthesia but is rarely reported in children. The differential diagnosis should include the presence of a midline epidural septum. Case Report. We describe a case of a 16-year-old adolescent who developed repeated complete unilateral extensive epidural sensory and motor blockade with Horner's syndrome after thoracic epidural catheter placement. This unusual presentation of complete hemibody neural blockade has not been reported in the pediatric population. Maneuvers to improve contralateral uniform neural blockade were unsuccessful. An epidurogram was performed to ascertain the correct location of the catheter within the epidural space and presence of sagittal compartmentalization. Conclusion. This case report highlights a less frequently reported reason for unilateral sensory and motor blockade with epidural anesthesia in children. The presence of a midline epidural septum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unilateral epidural blockade.

Advancement of epidural catheter from lumbar to thoracic space in children: Comparison between 18G and 23G catheters

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES

Lumbar-to-thoracic advancement of epidural catheter is a safe alternative to direct thoracic placement in children. In this prospective randomized study, success rate of advancement of two different types and gauges of catheter from lumbar-to-thoracic space were studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty ASA I and II children (up to 6 years) undergoing thoracic or upper-abdominal surgery were allocated to either Group I (18G catheter) or Group II (23G catheter). After induction of general anesthesia a pre-determined length of catheter was inserted. Successful catheter placement was defined as the catheter tip within two segment of surgical incision in radio-contrast study. Intra-operative analgesia was provided by epidural bupivacaine and intravenous morphine. Post-operative analgesia was provided with epidural infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine+1mcg/ml fentanyl.

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

Catheter advancement was successful in 3 cases in Group I and 2 cases in Group II. Five different types of catheter positions were found on X-ray. Negative correlation was found between age and catheter advancement [significance (2-tailed) =0.03]. However, satisfactory post-operative analgesia was obtained in 35 cases. Positive correlation was found between infusion rate, the number of segment of gap between desired level and the level reached [significance (2-tailed) =0.00]. 23G catheter use was associated with more technical complications.

CONCLUSION

Advancement of epidural catheter from lumbar to thoracic level was successful in only 10-15% cases but satisfactory analgesia could be provided by increasing the infusion rates.