Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
 

Learn about the flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, and our masking policy »

Stanford Health Care

Intraoperative epidural catheter malfunction in two obese patients ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA Leith, P., Sanborn, R., BROCKUTNE, J. G. 1997; 41 (5): 651-653

Abstract

Using a combined general anesthesia/epidural technique, two cases of intraoperative malfunctioning epidural catheters in obese patients are presented. After the epidural was found to be malfunctioning, the anesthesiologist placed the palm of both hands underneath the patients' lumbar and thoracic area. The epidural catheter with tape and subcutaneous tissue was pulled in both cases towards the head. In each case, this simple maneuver made the catheter function again. In conclusion, this simple corrective maneuver should be attempted prior to discarding the epidural anesthetic technique.

View details for Web of Science ID A1997XC32600018

View details for PubMedID 9181171