The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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An Analysis of Infection-Related Complications after Epidural Block

경막외 차단술 후 발생한 감염 관련 합병증의 분석

  • Jo, Dae Hyun (College of Medicine, Pochon Jung Moon University) ;
  • Hong, Ji Hee (College of Medicine, Pochon Jung Moon University) ;
  • Kim, Myuong Hee (Pain Clinic and Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Bundang CHA Medical Center)
  • Received : 2006.03.06
  • Accepted : 2006.07.31
  • Published : 2006.12.30
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Abstract

Background: There have been an increasing number of reports about infection-related complications after epidural block, and the analysis of these previous reports may offer valuable information for the prevention and treatment of such complications. Methods: We searched for complications about infection that was related to epidural blockade procedures by using the Medline Search program. We analyzed the types of infection-related complications as well as the potential risk factors, the time course from symptom development to treatment, the causative organisms and the treatment outcomes. Results: Seventeen cases were identified. The types of complications were epidural abscess, subdural abscess, spinal arachnoiditis, bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis. Five patients received a single block and twelve patients received a continuous block with catheterization. The most common site of epidural catheterization was the lumbar area and eight patients had indwelling catheters for less than fifteen days. Eight patients had a diabetes mellitus as a risk factor and fourteen patients showed less than seven days from the development of symptoms to treatment. Eleven patients received laminectomy and intravenous antibiotics as a treatment and eight patients had full recovery without neurological deficit. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for the favorable outcome of infection-related complication after epidural block. In addition, absolute sterile technique should always be performed and patient education concerning these potential complications must be accompanied.

Keywords

References

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