Surgical Management of the Retained Epidural Catheter Fragment Complicated by Postoperative Phlegmon
Tina M Yu, Mastoora Nasiri and Solmaz P Manuel*
1Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, USA
Submission: December 28, 2017; Published: February 05, 2018
*Corresponding author: Solmaz P Manuel, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue, MU West 4th Floor, Box 0648, CA 94143, San Francisco, USA, Tel: (415) 476-9043, Email: Solmaz.Manuel@ucsf.edu
How to cite this article: Tina M Yu, Mastoora Nasiri, Solmaz P Manuel. Surgical Management of the Retained Epidural Catheter Fragment Complicated by Postoperative Phlegmon. J Anest & Inten Care Med. 2018; 5(2) : 555660. DOI: 10.19080/JAICM.2018.05.555660
Abstract
Lumbar epidurals are an effective form of labor pain control. The breakage of an epidural catheter is an extremely rare complication. No clear management guidelines or algorithms exist for retained epidural fragments or entrapped catheters. Here we report a case of fractured and retained epidural catheter after uncomplicated placement with Dural puncture for confirmation of midline placement, the imaging done to locate the fragment, the decision to surgically remove the fragment, and subsequent surgical bed infection. We review the management options for difficult to remove epidural catheters, the optimal methods of locating the retained fragments, and the indications for surgical removal.
Keywords: Retained epidural catheter, Fractured catheter, Neuraxial complications, postoperative complications, Surgical intervention
Introduction
A 20-year-old woman gravida 2 para 1 at 40+1 week's gestation presented in spontaneous labor and requested an epidural for labor analgesia. After sterile preparation, the L3-4 epidural space was identified at 6 cm using saline loss of resistance technique with Dural puncture confirming midline placement. An Arrow Flex Tip Plus 19g catheter (Arrow International Inc., Reading, PA) was advanced without resistance and secured 11 cm at the skin. Following uncomplicated vaginal delivery, catheter removal was attempted seven hours after placement. Resistance was felt while applying usual traction and the catheter snapped leaving a 7 cm retained fragment. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) imaging showed the catheter fragment extending along the rightward aspect of the L3 spinous process before looping in the posterior epidural space and terminating at the L3-L4 level (Figure 1).
Neurosurgery was consulted and while no neurologic deficit was noted, the decision was made to remove the catheter fragment due to patient concerns for future infection and development of scar or granulation tissue in the epidural space. Post-partum day one she underwent an uncomplicated L3-L4 laminectomy with successful removal of the catheter fragment located on the right lateral aspect of the cal sac (Figure 2). Two months later she noted purulent drainage from her back and imaging showed phlegmon in the posterior spinal surgical bed extending into the dorsal epidural space of L2-L4 (Figure 3). Incision, drainage and a course of antibiotics were required to treat Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Discussion
The breakage of epidural catheters with retained fragments is a rare complication. Several mechanisms have been proposed as the cause of epidural catheter breakage, including manufacturing weakness, shearing or nicking of the catheter against the insertion needle, injury of the catheter by spinal needle in two level combined spinal and epidural procedures, knotted catheters, entanglement of catheters with structures in the epidural space such as nerve roots and blood vessels, or entrapment in vertebral processes, facet joints, and semispinalis muscles [1, 2]. In addition, postpartum edema may worsen impingement and waiting a few hours for swelling to subside may increase ease of removal [3].
All manufacturers include warnings against excessive or undue force during removal of epidural catheters. The average force required to remove an epidural catheter is 2.04 N (~0.459 lb of force) [4]. Arrow brand catheters have been reported to stretch more than other catheter brands and break at lower forces than other brands of epidural catheters, especially at the 5 cm mark [5,6]. Polyurethane catheters are the strongest catheter, whereas radiopaque catheters have the highest elasticity [5]. Multiple strategies have been previously suggested to assist in removal of a stuck epidural catheter (Table 1). Once a catheter has fractured, determining the exact location of the proximal and distal ends is not straightforward. CT has been recommended to locate retained catheters due to high resolution and ease of obtaining the test [7,8]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is not recommended as first diagnostic test of choice for ferromagnetic catheters due to metallic artifact, larger slice size, risk of neural injury secondary to heating of a wire-enforced catheter in the epidural space, and risk of catheter movement [9-11].
The optimal management of retained epidural fragments is debatable. It has been suggested that because retained fragments are sterile and unlikely to cause serious neurological sequelae, it is acceptable for them to be left in situ [7]. Multiple complications have been reported related to retained catheter fragments, however, including catheter tip migration into the intrathecal space with resulting CSF leak [12], nerve entrapment with radicular pain [13], formation of scar tissue around the catheter fragment resulting in spinal stenosis [8], and foraminal stenosis [14], infection [15], and delayed subdural hematoma formation [16-21]. Therefore, even without immediate evidence of neurologic or infectious sequelae, providing patients the option of surgical removal versus watchful waiting is still reasonable [9,17].
Conclusion
Breakage ofepidural catheter is an extremely rare complication following uncomplicated placement. Despite Dural puncture to confirm midline placement, this catheter coursed laterally and became entrapped in the epidural space. Without applying a large amount of force the catheter fractured. The patient's preference to undergo laminectomy for removal was honored, but was complicated by postoperative epidural phlegmon formation. Infection was successfully treated with incision, drainage and a course of antibiotics.
Funding Sources
Departmental support only.
Conflicts Of Interest
None
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