Epidural stimulator catheter

The idea epidural test should be safe and easy to use with readily available materials and monitoring devices. One should also be able to use the test to reliably detect incorrectly placed epidural cathetes while performing the procedure. This would allow adjustments to be made at the time of insertion. Electrical stimulation methods are well accepted for identifying peripheral nerves when performing regional anesthesia. However, these methods have never been used to confirm catheter placement in the epidural space until recently. This article provides a brief review of the new concept of using electrical stimulation to confirm epidural catheter location and outlines recent clinical experiences with this important advance in epidural anesthesia. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.