Retained stimulating perineural catheters: A report of four cases

BACKGROUND: As the use of ambulatory continuous peripheral nerve blocks continues to grow, new management issues will inevitably arise. Previous descriptions of difficult catheter removal due to cutting, knotting, or kinking of the catheter have involved inpatients. A series of retained ambulatory interscalene catheters has recently been reported. METHODS: We present a series of 4 retained stimulating perineural catheters, which could not be removed though the catheters appeared intact and not significantly bent on plain radiographs. We discuss the potential aspects of our block technique and the catheters' design that may have complicated their removal, as well as our management of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulating perineural catheters may be difficult to remove. This may be particularly problematic for outpatients removing the catheters at home.