D Gozal1, Y Gozal, B Beilin. 1. Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An epidural anesthetic was planned for a 24-year-old woman for analgesia during labor and for a 28-year-old woman for an elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: Two cases of inability to remove an epidural catheter due to a knot are reported. The epidural catheter was initially inserted 6 and 8 cm, respectively, into the epidural space. Attempts to remove the catheter by gentle traction remained unsuccessful. RESULTS: In the first case, the catheter was removed successfully by using general anesthesia with succinylcholine, and in the second case the catheter was removed by pulling it out slowly. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent the knotting of an epidural catheter, it should not be inserted more than 3-4 cm into the epidural space. General anesthesia may be one of the options to remove the catheter.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An epidural anesthetic was planned for a 24-year-old woman for analgesia during labor and for a 28-year-old woman for an elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: Two cases of inability to remove an epidural catheter due to a knot are reported. The epidural catheter was initially inserted 6 and 8 cm, respectively, into the epidural space. Attempts to remove the catheter by gentle traction remained unsuccessful. RESULTS: In the first case, the catheter was removed successfully by using general anesthesia with succinylcholine, and in the second case the catheter was removed by pulling it out slowly. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent the knotting of an epidural catheter, it should not be inserted more than 3-4 cm into the epidural space. General anesthesia may be one of the options to remove the catheter.