Epidural Conduction Device Fractures and Complications of Retained Fragments
MedSun: Newsletter #23, April 2008

By Robert Fischer, RN, MSN

FDA Medical Device Safety Page (Article reprinted from American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal. February 2008. Vol. 76, No. 1, p. 37-40.)

Fracture and retention of anesthetic conduction device tips can cause serious injuries and other problems such as spinal stenosis, nerve root compression, and subcutaneous effusion. The article gives tips to nurse anesthetists on how to prevent potential problems through good practices and encourages the practice of recording catheter retention in medical records and informing patients of retained devices.

Additional Information:

Epidural Conduction Device Fractures and Complications of Retained Fragments
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/TipsandArticlesonDeviceSafety/ucm070030.htm