Pitfalls in Continuous Nerve Blocks：Catheter, Fixation, and Infusion

Abstract

Continuous nerve block has advantages with providing good analgesia, patients’ satisfaction, and fast recovery from surgery. However, dislodgement of the catheter tip and leakage of local anesthetics（LA）from the insertion point may decrease its analgesic effect. Cyanoacrylate glue makes it possible to fix the catheter in place without leakage.

Recently, we have selected various type of catheters for continuous nerve blocks, but each catheter has characteristic ways of spreading injectate, fixation, and handleability of catheterization.

We should choose continuous or intermittent LA infusion based on the type of catheter selected.