 The current use of epidural indwelling catheters for analgesia is associated with 20-25 technical failure rate from catheter misplacement, occlusion, disconnect or dislodgement, premature discontinuation of analgesia due to opioid-related side effects, requires bladder catheterization, and local anesthetic induced weakness in the lower extremities that usually delays ambulation. The dose of local anesthetics infused via the epidural route is much larger than proposed via wound catheters and carries greater risks of systemic toxicity compared to infusion doses anticipated via wound catheter infusion. In addition, the use of opioids such as morphine or hydromorphone via the epidural indwelling catheters produce adverse effects similar to that of systemic opioids and require electronic and close nursing monitoring. 