Extradural abscess is a rare but recognized complication of extradural anaesthesia. Previous reports have been associated with a short time interval between extradural catheterization and presentation. We report a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, receiving steroid therapy, in whom an extradural abscess did not present until 23 days after the insertion of a thoracic extradural catheter to prov...

We have undertaken a prospective, randomized double-blind study to compare extradural bupivacaine infusions with i.v. morphine infusions for postoperative analgesia in 32 infants younger than 4 yr undergoing abdominal surgery. "Sham" extradural or i.v. catheters were used to maintain the blinded nature of the study. Both techniques provided adequate analgesia for most of the 36-h postoperative ...

Sir,—We thank Dr Sinton for his detailed comments on our case report. The combined spinal-extradural was used to provide analgesia for vaginal examination and rupture of membranes in this woman with a known low lying placenta. In our experience, this technique provides excellent sacral analgesia without motor block, which is obviously undesirable in early labour. We apologize that full details ...

Sir,—We thank Dr Sinton for his detailed comments on our case report. The combined spinal-extradural was used to provide analgesia for vaginal examination and rupture of membranes in this woman with a known low lying placenta. In our experience, this technique provides excellent sacral analgesia without motor block, which is obviously undesirable in early labour. We apologize that full details ...