Tunneled Epidural Catheter

A tunneled epidural catheter is a small catheter placed in the epidural space and tunneled under the skin. It allows for small doses of pain medication to be delivered to the spinal nerves causing pain relief. This catheter may be used while in the hospital and as an outpatient.

A tunneled epidural catheter can be used for pain relief when other methods are poorly tolerated or insufficient to help assist rehabilitation of patients with various pain syndromes. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to allow prolonged medication infusion and hopefully minimize the risk of infection.