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Epidural Catheter
A catheter is a tube used in medical settings to drain bodily fluids, allow medical instruments greater access to the body, or-as in the case of an epidural catheter-to allow for the delivery of medication. In an epidural catheter, a tube is inserted in a patient's back for the purpose of administering pain medication. Epidural catheters are often used to ease the pain of child birth, but they are also used to assist with other conditions of temporary or chronic pain (1, 2).
The placement of an epidural catheter may be temporary or long-term, depending on the condition being addressed. The catheter is hooked to a device comprised of a small pump and syringe, and this is filled with pain medicine that is delivered through the catheter to the body. The medication is administered at a frequency and amount that is patient controlled, automatically controlled, or a combination of the two (2).
The insertion process can take place in the operating room or in a hospital bed, depending on the needs of the patient and whether it is a short-term or long-term placement. The epidural tube is inserted via a needle that is placed near the spinal cord, in an area known as the epidural space. The epidural space is an area just outside of the membrane that covers the spinal cord (known as the dura) through which nerves to the neck, arms and legs travel. For a temporary epidural catheter, the catheter is taped to the back or the shoulder (1, 2). For a long-term epidural catheter, the catheter is led from the patient's back to the front, and the bulk of the device rests on the front of the patient's abdomen (2).
Because pain management is an issue for individuals with cancer-including those with mesothelioma-epidural catheters are considered for cancer patients when it is determined by the doctor that it would be beneficial (3).
- "Epidural Injections." From the Pain Management Center's website. Available: http://www.thepainmd.com/2_02AbtEpidurals.htm (Accessed July 27, 2007).
- "Epidural Pain Control For Children." From HealthTouch.com. Available: http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/econtent_ht/cnoteshowlfts.asp?fname=06035&title=epidural+pain+control+for+children+&cid=hthlth (Accessed July 27, 2007).
- "Mesothelioma Pain Management." From the Mesothelioma Center's website. Available: http://www.mesothelioma-center.com/information/meso-info/mesothelioma-pain-management.html (Accessed July 27, 2007).