Successful placement of an epidural catheter through a split skin graft after degloving injury of the lower back.

Degloving soft tissue injuries of the back are uncommon in women of child-bearing age. Treatment of such injuries may include split skin grafting of the affected area. We present the case of a 30-year-old primigravid woman who suffered degloving of the skin over the lumbar area that had been treated by split skin grafting three years prior to her pregnancy. She was seen in the antenatal anaesthetic clinic where she expressed a desire to have early epidural analgesia for her labour and delivery. An epidural catheter was placed successfully through the skin graft. The considerations for performing an invasive procedure through a skin graft and the available evidence are discussed.