• F Jaime, G L Mandell, M C Vallejo, and S Ramanathan.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3180, USA.
• J Clin Anesth. 2000 Mar 1;12(2):89-93.

Study ObjectiveTo compare a multiport, firm-tipped, close-ended, epidural catheter (Portex catheter) with a uniport, open-ended, soft-tipped, wire-reinforced catheter (Arrow catheter) in obstetric patients.Study DesignProspective data collection for intradepartmental quality assurance.SettingObstetric unit in a tertiary care maternity hospital.Patients2612 patients requesting labor analgesia.InterventionsThe Arrow catheter was used in 1,352 women and the Portex catheter in 1,260 women.Measurements And Main ResultsThe incidence of unsatisfactory block were 3.3% and 4.4% with the Arrow and Portex catheters, respectively (p = 0.2). The catheter perforated the dura matter in 0.4% of cases with both catheters. The incidence of epidural venipuncture was 1.1% with the Arrow catheter and 5.7% with the Portex catheter (p = 0.0001). Paresthesias occurred in 6% of cases with the Arrow catheter and 11. 2 % of cases with the Portex catheter (p = 0.0001). Epidural catheter reinsertion was required in fewer patients in the Arrow group than in the Portex group (4.8% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.01).ConclusionsIn obstetric patients, the softer uniport Arrow catheter produces paresthesias and venipunctures less frequently than the firm multiport Portex catheter.

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