Inadvertent Placement of Thoracic Epidural Catheter in Pleural Cavity: A Case Report and Review of Published Literature.

Thoracic epidural placement is considered the gold standard for pain management for abdominal or thoracic surgery. It provides analgesia superior to that provided by opioids with a decreased risk of pulmonary complications. Insertion of a thoracic epidural catheter requires the knowledge and expertise of an anesthetist; epidural catheter insertion may be challenging especially when sited in the higher thoracic region, in patients with unusual neuraxial anatomy, patients unable to position adequately for insertion or morbidly obese patients.