Combined subdural and epidural block in a case of epidural catheterization for postoperative analgesia.

We report a case of unusual block caused by postoperative epidural analgesia for laparotomy in a gynecologic patient in consequence of inadvertent epidural catheterization. The clinical manifestation included agitation, spotty distribution of analgesia, wide spread of sensory block and loss of motor power. The radiological findings suggested a multicompartmental block with the anchorage of the catheter tip stretching over the epidural and subdural spaces. The default of catheter position was not detected during routine test dose procedure.