EVALUATION OF COMPLICATIONS WITH BLIND INTERLAMINAR EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS
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Abstract
Objective: To assess the complications rate of blind interlaminar epidural steroid injections.
Material and Methods: A prospective, non randomized observational study was carried out at Interventional pain
clinic Anesthesia department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from July 2009 to November 2012 and
included 386 Procedures ( Lumbar 361, Cervical 20 and caudal 05). All the interventions were performed as an
outpatient procedure by one of the two pain physicians. Measurable outcomes employed were flushing, headache,
intravascular entry of the needle, local bleeding, bruising, Dural puncture, nerve root irritation, infection, post
procedure soreness and increased pain. The complications encountered during and after the procedure were
prospectively evaluated.
Results: Syncope (3.1%), flushing (2.3%), Headache (1.8%), intravascular entry (0.8%), Dural puncture (0.78%), post
dural puncture headache (0.5%) and cardiac arrest (0.3%) were observed. The patient was immediately resuscitated
and discharged without any morbidity.
Conclusion: Blind interlaminar epidural steroid injections are safe when performed with proper technique,
Monitoring and under recommended sterile precautions. The minor complications are common with this procedure
but major complications are rare.
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