Thoracic epidural catheter placement failure rate by contrast epidurography: a single-center retrospective study
Authors' conclusion
Age≥55 and obesity are both associated with a greater odds of failed placement.
Study context
- Population
- Thoracic epidural catheters for postoperative analgesia placed by conventional landmark-based technique and confirmed by contrast epidurography, teaching institution, 5-year period
- Participants
- 1,017 epidural contrast studies
- Outcome
- Failure rate of thoracic epidural catheter placement confirmed by contrast epidurography
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Failure rate after initial catheter placement
Failure rate after initial catheter placement
12.2%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aOR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Predictors of failed placement (multivariable logistic regression)Obesity vs Regular weight | 1.9 (1.12–3.3) | |
| Predictors of failed placement (multivariable logistic regression)Age 55-74 vs Age <55 | 2.78 (1.39–6.21) | |
| Predictors of failed placement (multivariable logistic regression)Age ≥75 vs Age <55 | 4.16 (1.94–9.77) | |
| 0.10.31310Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Failure rate of second-attempt "rescue" catheters
- Failure rate of rescue catheters after failed initial attempt
- 24.0%
Original publication
Thoracic epidural catheter placement failure rate by contrast epidurography: a single-center retrospective study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 3 February 2026. doi:10.
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