The Relationships between the Methods of the Epidural Catheter Fixation and the Postoperative Position Change of the Catheter

경막외 카테터의 고정방법과 수술후 카테터의 위치 변화와의 관계

Background : Patients mover more as their post operative pain decrease. With the increase in movement there will be a tendency for the epidural catheter to migrate out of its original position. We studied 2 methods of fixation of the epidural catheter and the changes in position as related to patient movement. Methods : Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in Group A had their epidural catheter formed with a circular loop at the (skin) exit site then directed over the right shoulder. Group B had the epidural catheter flxed with Fixomull on the exit site without forming a circular loop. At the end of the operation, 3 mg of epidural morphine was injected via indwelling epidural catheter for postoperative pain control. Epidural catheter depth was measured 24 hours later. Results : The overall rate of migration of epidural catheter was 61.9%. In Group A, number of patients whose catheter migrated over 0.5 cm was 23(69.9%) with 14 inward migration and 9 outward migration. Group B had 16(53%) patients catheters migrate over 0.5 cm, with 2 patients having inward migration and 14 outward migration. Conclusions : Although the rates of migration of epidural catheter were similar for both groups, the number of inner migration of catheter, which could result serious complications, was significantly lower in Group B than Group A. Based on our results we recommend the epidural catheter be fixed without a circular loop.