What are epidural catheters and how do they work to lessen the pain after scoliosis surgery?
Dr. Gartrell: The word “epidural” refers to a space along the spine just outside of the covering of the spinal cord. A “catheter” is simply a tube. An epidural catheter is a spaghetti-size tube that can be used to drip medication near the spinal nerves. Sometimes at the end of a scoliosis surgery, the surgeon will leave one end of an epidural catheter along the spine where the surgery took place. The other end of the epidural catheter is taped along the patient’s shoulder. Pain medicines can be placed in the epidural catheter. Patients don’t feel the epidural catheter, but they often feel excellent pain relief from the medicines the catheter delivers.
