Epidural Catheter and Port-Related Infections in Pain Clinic Patients

Factors Associated With Infection Development in Epidural Catheter and Port Applications in a University Pain Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of infection associated with epidural catheter and port applications performed in the Pain Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine. Data from patients who underwent epidural catheter or port placement between January 2002 and January 2025 will be analyzed.

Demographic data, catheter duration, insertion level, type of device, clinical indication, and microbiological culture results will be examined to determine factors influencing infection development. The study seeks to identify common pathogens and assess potential relationships between procedural characteristics and infection risk.

The ultimate goal of this research is to contribute to improving infection prevention strategies and ensuring patient safety in interventional pain management practices.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Procedural Complication; Hospital-Acquired Infection; Epidural Catheter-Related Infection

Detailed Description

This retrospective cohort study investigates the factors associated with infection development following epidural catheter and port applications performed in the Pain Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine between January 2002 and January 2022. Data collection has been completed, and the final data analysis is expected to be finalized by November 30, 2025.

Epidural catheterization and port placement are frequently performed interventional pain management procedures used for postoperative and chronic cancer pain treatment. Despite their clinical utility, these procedures carry a risk of infection that can lead to serious complications, including epidural abscess, meningitis, or systemic sepsis.

The study retrospectively reviews 351 cases from institutional archives. Demographic data (age, sex, diagnosis), procedural details (catheter duration, insertion level, anatomical site, indication, brand), and infection outcomes (presence of infection, culture results, and isolated microorganisms) are analyzed.

Primary outcome is the incidence of infection associated with epidural catheter or port use. Secondary outcomes include identifying risk factors such as catheter duration, insertion site, clinical indication, and the distribution of isolated pathogens. Statistical analyses are conducted using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests, and p < 0.05 is considered significant.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to improving infection prevention strategies and clinical protocols for safer interventional pain management practices.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 351

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Mersin
    • Mersin, Mersin, Turkey (Türkiye), 33110
      • Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Algology

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients treated at the Pain Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine who received epidural catheter or port applications for pain management between 2002 and 2025.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 years and older.
• Patients who underwent epidural catheter or epidural port application at Mersin University Pain Clinic between January 1, 2002 and January 1, 2025.
• Complete clinical records including demographic data, procedural details, and culture results available for review.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with incomplete or missing procedural or infection data.

Patients whose records do not include culture or infection status documentation.

Patients younger than 18 years old.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Epidural Catheter Group; Patients who underwent epidural catheter insertion for pain management between January 2002 and December 2022 at the Mersin University Pain Clinic. Data include catheter duration, insertion site, indication, and culture results.
Epidural Port Group; Patients who received epidural port placement for long-term analgesic management during the same period. Data include port type, indication, duration of use, and infection outcomes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of Infection Associated With Epidural Catheter or Port Use	The proportion of patients who developed infection following epidural catheter or port placement, confirmed either clinically or microbiologically (positive culture from catheter tip or port site).	From date of catheter or port placement until device removal or completion of follow-up (within study period January 2002-January 2025).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Risk Factors Associated With Infection Development	Evaluation of demographic and procedural variables (e.g., catheter duration, insertion site, indication, comorbidities) and their association with infection occurrence.	Throughout the duration of catheter or port use, within the study period (January 2002-January 2025).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mesut Bakır
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Mesut Bakır, Assoc. Prof, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Pain Clinic

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Hebl JR, Niesen AD. Infectious Complications of Regional Anesthesia. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2021;35(3):407-418. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2021.05.003
• Domingues C, et al. Epidural Catheter Bacterial Colonization and Infection in a Secondary Portuguese Hospital Setting. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e72428. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72428

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2002
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 21, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 21, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2025
• Last Verified: October 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Infection; Epidural catheter; Interventional pain management; Epidural port; Pain clinic
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease Attributes; Iatrogenic Disease; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Infections; Cross Infection
• Other Study ID Numbers: Mersin-ALG-ECPI-2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: This is a retrospective study based on de-identified patient records. No individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. Only aggregated results may be published in scientific journals.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No