The usefulness of preoperative epidural catheterization under radiographic monitoring in the anesthesia for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair

In Japan, endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair became one of the standard procedures in 2006. It has been performed in 8 patients at our hospital. We try epidural anesthesia with sedation for treatment because of the good control of blood pressure and immobilization of the patient. We usually perform epidural catheterization one day before the operation to avoid epidural hematoma due to heparinization during the operation. We usually use radiographic monitoring for safe and precise insertion of the catheter into the epidural space. Epidural catheterization with radio-graphic monitoring is useful for safe and reliable epidural analgesia.