Epidural catheter system utilizing splittable needle

Disclosed is a system for administering epidural anesthesia utilizing an epidural catheter permanently secured at its proximal end (14) to an adapter (56) for putting the catheter in fluid communication with a source of liquid anesthesia. The system employs a splittable needle for inserting the catheter into the peridural space and a guide bar (27) for handling the needle during insertion. For removing, the needle will be gripped along its barrel or gently by the wings and inserted beneath the skin to the desired placement. After placement, the wings (22,24) may be flexed outwardly causing the needle to open up along the longitudinal slit (42), thereby causing splitting or cracking along the longitudinal groove (44) which in turn causes the needle halves following splitting to separate from the catheter (50) within the needle. This active mechanism protects the needle from undesired splitting away during insertion.