Developing a device model for a safe and effective method in catheter fixation: An experimental study

Articles > Article · 2026

Authors: Alev ATALAY, Lara Özbal, Vusala Mirza, Aslıhan Esra YÜKSEL, Can EYİGÖR

Ege Tıp Dergisi, National Refreed University Journal, National, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), 2026, vol 65, pp 49-54

DOI: 10.19161/etd.1795301

Summary

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ABSTRACT</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Aim:&nbsp;Current&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;fixation&nbsp;techniques&nbsp;may&nbsp;lead&nbsp;to&nbsp;epidural&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;dislodgement&nbsp;or&nbsp;extrusion,&nbsp;resulting&nbsp;in&nbsp;risks&nbsp;such&nbsp;as&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;migration,&nbsp;inadequate&nbsp;analgesia,&nbsp;and&nbsp;unintended&nbsp;spinal&nbsp;block.&nbsp;This&nbsp;study&nbsp;aimed&nbsp;to&nbsp;compare&nbsp;a&nbsp;newly&nbsp;developed&nbsp;fixation&nbsp;device&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;conventional&nbsp;suture&nbsp;method&nbsp;used&nbsp;for&nbsp;epidural&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;fixation.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Materials&nbsp;and&nbsp;Methods:&nbsp;The&nbsp;Epilock®&nbsp;device,&nbsp;developed&nbsp;at&nbsp;Ege&nbsp;University&nbsp;Technopark&nbsp;CND&nbsp;ARGE,&nbsp;was&nbsp;manufactured&nbsp;using&nbsp;Polylactic&nbsp;Acid&nbsp;Thermoplastic&nbsp;Polymer&nbsp;(PLA+)&nbsp;material&nbsp;via&nbsp;a&nbsp;3D&nbsp;printer.&nbsp;After&nbsp;obtaining&nbsp;ethical&nbsp;approval,&nbsp;10&nbsp;Sprague&nbsp;Dawley&nbsp;rats&nbsp;(5&nbsp;males,&nbsp;5&nbsp;females)&nbsp;were&nbsp;anesthetized&nbsp;and&nbsp;randomly&nbsp;allocated&nbsp;into&nbsp;two&nbsp;groups.&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;Control&nbsp;Group&nbsp;(n=5),&nbsp;epidural&nbsp;catheters&nbsp;were&nbsp;fixed&nbsp;11&nbsp;cm&nbsp;beneath&nbsp;the&nbsp;skin&nbsp;with&nbsp;silk&nbsp;sutures&nbsp;(20&nbsp;knots).&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;Experimental&nbsp;Group&nbsp;(n=5),&nbsp;catheters&nbsp;were&nbsp;secured&nbsp;using&nbsp;the&nbsp;Epilock®&nbsp;device.&nbsp;Fixation&nbsp;time&nbsp;was&nbsp;recorded,&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;rats&nbsp;were&nbsp;monitored&nbsp;for&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;stability&nbsp;and&nbsp;infection&nbsp;for&nbsp;7&nbsp;days.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Results:&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;Control&nbsp;Group&nbsp;(n=5),&nbsp;the&nbsp;mean&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;fixation&nbsp;time&nbsp;was&nbsp;258&nbsp;±250&nbsp;seconds,&nbsp;while&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Experimental&nbsp;Group&nbsp;(n=5)&nbsp;it&nbsp;was&nbsp;175&nbsp;±150&nbsp;seconds.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Epilock®&nbsp;device&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;reduced&nbsp;fixation&nbsp;time&nbsp;compared&nbsp;the&nbsp;Control&nbsp;Group&nbsp;(p=0.032).&nbsp;Catheters&nbsp;remained&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;longer&nbsp;in&nbsp;place&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Experimental&nbsp;Group&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;first&nbsp;day&nbsp;(p=0.048),&nbsp;whereas&nbsp;no&nbsp;significant&nbsp;difference&nbsp;was&nbsp;found&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;second&nbsp;day&nbsp;(p=1.000).</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Conclusion:&nbsp;The&nbsp;Epilock®&nbsp;device&nbsp;provided&nbsp;a&nbsp;shorter&nbsp;procedure&nbsp;time&nbsp;and&nbsp;improved&nbsp;initial&nbsp;catheter&nbsp;retention&nbsp;compared&nbsp;with&nbsp;conventional&nbsp;suturing.&nbsp;These&nbsp;findings&nbsp;suggest&nbsp;it&nbsp;may&nbsp;enhance&nbsp;patient&nbsp;comfort,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;for&nbsp;those&nbsp;with&nbsp;positioning&nbsp;difficulties,&nbsp;and&nbsp;has&nbsp;the&nbsp;potential&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;a&nbsp;valuable&nbsp;option&nbsp;in&nbsp;routine&nbsp;practice&nbsp;with&nbsp;further&nbsp;development&nbsp;and&nbsp;larger&nbsp;studies.</span></p>

View details