British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 76, Issue 1 149-150, Copyright © 1996 by The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
E. M. Delhaas
The Seldinger technique was developed using a plastic introducer through
which introduction and manipulations of a silicone spinal catheter, an
extradural stimulation lead or a small diameter fibreoptic scope are
possible without the risk of damage to the vulnerable devices. It is not
intended as a replacement of the standard technique of introducing a spinal
catheter through a Tuohy needle in general anaesthetic practice. Silicone
spinal catheters and stimulation leads are used for long-term therapy in
intractable chronic pain and spasticity. A fibreoptic scope is used for
endoscopic examination of the subarachnoid or extradural space. Using a
standard Tuohy needle the soft silicone extradural lead can be damaged
easily by manipulations during insertion. For this reason the manufacturer
modified the Tuohy needle for extradural silicone lead introduction. The
disadvantages of this modified Tuohy needle are: first, difficulty in
localization of the extradural space, second, the needle is unsuitable for
a subarachnoid catheter or introduction of a fibreoptic scope. The
Seldinger technique was performed 25 times in 18 patients, introducing a
spinal silicone catheter (n = 14), an extradural silicone stimulation lead
(n = 2) or a small diameter fibreoptic endoscope (n = 9). Paraesthesiae
caused by neural irritation occurred in awake patients. This did not differ
from the technique using a Tuohy needle only. Neural damage or trauma did
not occur with the Seldinger technique. The incidence of post-spinal
headache was the same for both techniques. No further complications were
noted.
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
Extradural and subarachnoid catheterization using the Seldinger technique
Department of Anaesthesia, Sophia Hospital, Dr van Heesweg 2, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands
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