The Tunneled Epidural Catheter Can Provide Timely Analgesia for Refractory Cancer Pain – A Case Report

Abstract

Epidural analgesia has been used successfully in labor, postoperative, and chronic pain. Although in-dwelling epidural catheter carries the risk of infections, the tunneled epidural catheter can provide not only timely but also extended analgesia for cancer patients. The intrathecal pump has largely replaced short term epidural catheter use in cancer patients. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate that epidural catheter remains an indispensable tool in managing refractory cancer pain not responding to systemic opioids.