Epidural abscess after multiple lumbar punctures for labour epidural catheter placement

J Biomed Res. 2010 Jul;24(4):332-5. doi: 10.1016/S1674-8301(10)60046-2.

Abstract

Epidural catheterization is routinely used by anaesthesiologists to provide labour and post-operative analgesia. In most cases, catheter placement is without serious side effects and uneventful. However, epidural abscess is a rare complication that may result in severe morbidity. We present a case of epidural abscess after labour epidural catheter placement in a healthy 36-year-old female who presented on post-partum d 10 with complaints of fever and back pain. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and fully recovered.

Keywords: abscess; analgesia; catheters; epidural; labour.