THE FREQUENCY OF EPIDURAL CATHETER MIGRATION IN PATIENTS RECEIVING EPIDURAL ANALGESIA DURING LABOR INCREASES WITH TIME

Epidural Analgesia During Labor

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of epidural catheter migration and its relation with duration in situ in patients receiving epidural analgesia during labor.
Study Design: Descriptive case series.
Place and Duration of Study: Hameed Latif Hospital Lahore from Jun 2014 to Dec 2014.
Material and Methods: Extent of catheter migration was studied in 240 patients receiving epidural analgesia for labor analgesia. Epidural catheters were removed immediately after delivery and Duration of catheter in place and migration either inwards or outwards was noted for each. Data was stratified for duration of catheter placement into two groups. Group 1 with catheter placed for <330min and group 2 for > 330min.
Results: 240 patients in labor were included in this study. Mean age was 26.60 ± 3.856. Mean distance of catheter migration was 2.92 ± 4.756 mm. 86 of the 240(35.8%) patients had catheter migration, inwards 25/86 (29.06%) while outwards in 61/86 (70.93%).Data was stratified for duration of catheter placement into two groups. Group 1 with catheter placed for <330min and group 2 for > 330min.Group 1 included 124 (51.66%) patients; catheter migrated in 29 (23.39%).Group 2 included 116(48.33); catheter migration occurred in 57 (49.13%).
Conclusion: Epidural catheter migration was observed in significant number of parturients. There was a relation observed between duration of catheter and extent of migration at 330 minutes.