British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 75, Issue 5 536-540, Copyright © 1995 by The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
K. B. Jakobsen, M. K. Christensen and P. S. Carlsson
The use of extradural catheters in patients with systemic or localized
infection is controversial. The catheter may act as a focus for secondary
infection resulting in an extradural abscess. in this study we have
examined the use of extradural catheters for anaesthesia over the past 7 yr
in patients with localized infections. The records of 69 patients were
reviewed and patients interviewed (letter/phone). These patients had a
total of 120 extradural catheters placed and received, on average, four
anaesthetics, with the extradural catheter remaining in place for a mean of
9 days. On 12 occasions (eight patients) the catheter was removed because
of signs or symptoms of local infection. Specific antibiotic therapy was
not initiated, but ongoing therapy was continued. A single case of
spondylitis was the only serious complication found but was not related to
the extradural technique. We conclude that extradural anaesthesia for
patients who require repeated surgical treatments for abscesses or infected
wound is a relatively safe procedure.
CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Extradural anaesthesia for repeated surgical treatment in the presence of infection
Department of Anaesthesia, Aarhus University Hospital, Amtssygehuset, DK-8000 Arhus, Denmark
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