A sheared off and sequestered epidural catheter: a case report

This is a report of a retained epidural catheter segment after placement of 20-G polyethylene catheter (Hakko Medical) through 17-G Tuohy needle and 25-G spinal needle (Top Company) for a patient receiving combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Retained catheter fragment (approximately 10.6 cm) was removed easily with small incision under local anesthesia. Electron microscopic findings of the catheter showed that the catheter might have been traumatized by the Tuohy needle through which the catheter was placed or by the spinal needle for intrathecal anesthesia, resulting in having been sheared off.