Fragmentation of epidural catheter-need consensus on management

Lumbar epidural anesthesia is an important part of labor analgesia. Despite common complications, lumbar epidurals are considered the most effective pain management option during childbirth. Fracture of the epidural catheter during removal is an uncommon but known complication, but fragmentation of the catheter during insertion is extremely uncommon. There are several reasons for catheter fracture during removal; however, catheter fracture during insertion can occur for two main reasons in labor epidurals. The first reason is if the anesthetist pulls the catheter while the Tuohy needle is still in place, and the second is when the catheter is removed during active labor contractions. We describe the occurrence of such an event in a primiparous patient, where the epidural catheter fractured during insertion. A brief review is provided to prevent and manage such complications.