[Infection incidence in patients with tunneled peridural catheter]

The tunneled epidural catheter as an administration access for opiates has been used since the beginning of 1980. Patients with chronic pain, who does not get relief with medication through other accesses are benefited with infusion of opiate associated to a local anesthetic through epidural access. However, there are still doubts on the efficacy of the method in the handling and, consequently, over the risk for infection and other complications. As nursing is fundamental to make effective the relieve pain treatment, this study proposes to demonstrate how to keep safe the technique. Twenty-seven patients with chronic pain using epidural catheter for 18 days were followed between 2002 and 2004. Catheters were implanted in thoracic or lumbar level. No complications like epidural abscess, meningitis our epidural haematoma were observed. Patients' satisfaction related to analgesia was evident.