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Influence of microcatheter length on flow rates of disposable infusion kits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2005

T. Kasai ,
M. Hirose ,
K. Yaegashi ,
T. Fujita ,
Y. Hirai  and
Y. Tanaka
T. Kasai
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
M. Hirose
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
K. Yaegashi
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
T. Fujita
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
Y. Hirai
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
Y. Tanaka
Affiliation:
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Kyoto, Japan
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Abstract

Summary

Background and objective: Continuous spinal analgesia (CSA) offers considerable pain relief, and has been used in various procedures such as for surgery and cancer pain control. In Japan, portable and disposable infusion kits are increasingly employed for continuous epidural analgesia and CSA. In CSA, the use of a microcatheter is expected to reduce the incidence of spinal headache previously encountered with larger catheters. However, the flow rate of disposable infusion kits is reduced when used in conjunction with a microcatheter.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the influence of catheter length on the flow rate of two different devices: 20- or 91-cm 28-G microcatheters connected to balloon- or syringe-type infusion pumps were examined (50 mL, 1 mL h−1). There were four groups each of 10 experiments: Group A: balloon-type infuser, 91 cm catheter; Group B: balloon-type infuser, 20 cm catheter; Group C: syringe-type infuser, 91 cm catheter; Group D: syringe-type infuser, 20 cm catheter.

Results: The mean flow rate in Group A was significantly less than that in Group B and the mean flow rate in Group C was significantly less than Group D (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results indicated that the use of a shorter microcatheter achieves a better flow rate during CSA.

Keywords

ANAESTHESIA SPINAL, continuous, microcatheterANAESTHESIA EPIDURAL, combined, catheter, continuousINFUSION PUMPS, flow rate, catheter length
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 21 , Issue 11 , November 2004 , pp. 858 - 860
Copyright
2004 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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