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A fractured epidural needle: case report and study.

pidural blocks are most commonly performed using a 17-gauge needle to permit easy passage E of the catheter. The durability of these largegauge needles can be inferred by the lack of any reports of breakage other than separation at the hub-needle shaft junction (1). Recent improvements in catheter technology and the availability of smaller gauge catheters have generated increased interest in using smaller needles for both epidural and continuous spinal anesthesia. We report a case of a midshaft fracture of an 18-gauge Tuohy needle during an attempted administration of epidural anesthesia.