RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 #36246 Arising from the bottom – a rare complication of a thoracic epidural catheter
JF Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine
JO Reg Anesth Pain Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A185
OP A185
DO 10.1136/rapm-2023-ESRA.335
VO 48
IS Suppl 1
A1 Duarte, Ana Mendes
A1 Leiria, Nuno
A1 Pires, Rafael
A1 Cortez, Mariana
YR 2023
UL http://rapm.bmj.com/content/48/Suppl_1/A185.2.abstract
AB Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant (see information at the bottom of this page)Background and Aims This case reports a rare thoracic epidural induced priapism and evidences the importance of prompt recognition and treatment to preserve erectile function.Methods A 44-year-old, male, ASA II, underwent exploratory laparotomy and sigmoidectomy. Prior to general anesthesia induction, a thoracic epidural catheter was inserted at T10-T11. An initial bolus of 7 mL ropivacaine 0.2% was administered and sensory block was distributed from T6 level. No intercurrences were reported during the procedure and the patient was transferred to PACU with an epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.15% at 5 mL/h. An erection was observed 13 hours postoperative. The epidural infusion was discontinued and Urology was consulted. Blood was aspirated from the corpora cavernosa to induce detumescence, which was unsuccessful. An injection of diluted epinephrine was then administered. No more erections were reported after discontinuation of the epidural infusion. The patient was referred to urology consultation and discharged.Results In our case, we hypothesize that epidural was responsible for the low-flow priapism, considering the absence of direct trauma or hematological disease, uncorrelation of the surgical site with erectile physiology and priapism reversal following discontinuation of the epidural infusion. Priapism has been previously reported as a complication of epidural injection with opioids or in combination with local anaesthesia1-3.Conclusions This is a rare complication with unknown incidence and poorly understood pathophysiology. Nonwithstanding, prompt identification is vital to prevent permanent damage. Otherwise, it may lead to emergency intervention as described here. Awareness must be raised regarding epidural- induced priapism to ensure early identification.Attachment 20230506090323 (1).pdf