Intrapartum epidural catheter displacement: Comparison of three dressing methods (Migración de catéter epidural intraparto: Comparación de tres métodos de fijación).

Aim: To compare the effect on epidural catheter migration of three different types of dressing used in labor.

Introduction: Failure of labor epidural is due to multiple factors including catheter migration. Epidural catheter migration has been showed to be related to body mass index and patient position. The dressing technique also influences catheter migration and the risk of epidural failure.

Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups based on type of dressing of labor epidural: TegadermTM (Group T), TegadermTM with sticky pad (Group P), and TegadermTM with Steri-StripTM (Group S). Measured variables included parity, gestational age, body mass index (BMI), level of puncture and distance of epidural catheter migration.

Results: There was an overall difference in epidural catheter migration (ECM) distance among different groups (p<0.05). Pairwise comparison revealed only a significant difference between groups P and T (0.76±1.35 vs. -0.14±1.03, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Taping the lumbar epidural catheter used for labor analgesia with TegadermTM is inferior to TegadermTM with sticky pad or with Steri-StripTM in terms of catheter migration. There is no association of catheter migration and BMI.