Abstract
The epidural catheters of 4 patients were broken in the body accidentaly. The end of the broken material under the skin were detected and removed easily with only small skin incision. This complication is relatively uncommon. Then, we observed sections of the catheters with the electron microscope to investigate the cause of the disconnections.
Two patients had spine deformities. And electron microscopic findings suggested that the catheters might have been pinched and sheared off between two vertebral processes.
The other two patients had no spine deformities. And observation with electron microscope gave suggestions that catheters might have been broken with repetition of bending the catheters.
The experience of these four incidents suggested the following precaution; 1) we must take the greatest care of choosing a place and method at the placing epidural catheter for long term. 2) development of epidural catheters with new material bearing bend and force is expected.
