I want to do some experiments with Stim Caths. What do you folks like? Never really used them much. Which company will toss out some freebies? Thanks all.
I want to do some experiments with Stim Caths. What do you folks like? Never really used them much. Which company will toss out some freebies? Thanks all.
I used the arrow kits quite a bit 4-5 years ago. Didn't like them much. The ID was too darn small and injecting a bolus was painfully slow... felt like injecting 20cc's through a 24g catheter. Also easily kinkable as their is a metal component to the catheters... rendering your catheter and block useles.
Nowdays, I just use a non stimulating stiff epidural catheter under USD guidence. Easier and way cheaper than say this:
This is a much cheaper set up when you have an USD machine:
On the flip side, I do like to visualy observe a twitch in the correct area once the catheter is in place. Reassurance... but USD gives you that.... 🙄
Stimulating tuohy's may be OK as well... but depending on the block, I don't find them that useful (for femorals for example... I will stim my ISB).
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Used to use them for lumbar plexus catheters... but that is a BIG needle going into a non compressible area.... don't do lumbar plexus catheters anymore... and am stepping away from LP single shots.
I believe stim caths are typically very stiff and are easily seen on ultrasound.
I use the non stim non springwound catheters myself. Once you start doing single shots without stim, you'll get comfortable with a non stim catheter. Ask if they have Echogenic catheters