Reasons for Procedure

Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia

(Spinal Block; Epidural Block)

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Definition

These 2 types of anesthesia numb your body from the chest down to the legs. The medication is placed directly into the spine area.

Reasons for Procedure TOP

Spinal and epidural anesthesia is frequently given for:

Pelvis, hip, or leg procedures
Childbirth

Advantages of these types of anesthesia include:

The ability to be awake during the operation
Avoiding complications of general anesthesia

Possible Complications TOP

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Severe headache or back pain
Drop in blood pressure
Nerve damage
Infection
Allergic reaction to the anesthetic used
Longer labor during childbirth with an epidural anesthesia

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Smoking
Bleeding disorders
Prior allergic reactions to anesthetics
Dehydration
Immune system disorders

What to Expect TOP

Prior to Procedure

Make sure that your doctor is aware of:

Your drug allergies
Medications you are taking
Any heart or lung conditions you have
Any previous reactions that you or other family members have had to anesthesia
Any bleeding problems you have had in the past

Description of the Procedure

You will be connected to various monitors to keep track of your:

Blood pressure
Pulse
Oxygen content of your blood

You may also have:

An IV to deliver fluids
A tube in your bladder to keep urine drained

An area on your back above the spinal cord will be cleaned. A local anesthetic will be injected into the skin to numb the area. This is to decrease pain from the larger needle that will be put in your back. If you are getting spinal anesthesia, the doctor will give you one injection. The medication will be sent directly into the sac of fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.

If you are getting epidural anesthesia, it may be delivered the same way. But, if you need more than one dose, you will have a tiny, flexible tube in place just outside of the fluid sac. This allows the doctor to give you more medication if you need it. After the surgery, a bandage will be placed over the injection spot.

Epidural Injection

Immediately After Procedure TOP

You will stay in bed until your legs are no longer numb.

How Long Will It Take? TOP

Giving spinal or epidural anesthesia usually takes about 15 minutes.

Spinal anesthesia—begins working right after the injection is given
Epidural anesthesia—takes about 10-20 minutes to begin working

How Much Will It Hurt? TOP

You will feel some pain when the needle is inserted.

Average Hospital Stay TOP

Your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery being done.

Postoperative Care TOP

At the Hospital

If you received epidural anesthesia, the tube may be left in place to give you more medication. When you no longer need pain control, the tube will be removed.

At Home

For the first 24 hours:

Do not drive or operate machinery
Do not drink alcohol

Call Your Doctor TOP

It is important to monitor your recovery. Alert your doctor to any problems. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Persistent or severe headache or back pain
Lightheadedness, fainting
Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Skin rash
Difficulty breathing

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Society of Anesthesiologists
https://www.asahq.org

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society
http://www.cas.ca

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References:

Spinal anesthesia simulation. University of Florida website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 19, 2013.

What is epidural anesthesia? Baylor College of Medicine website. Available at: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/anesthesiology/patient-information/epidural-analgesia. Updated August 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.

What is regional anesthesia? Baylor College of Medicine website. Available at: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/anesthesiology/patient-information/regional-anesthesia. Updated August 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.

Your spinal anaesthetic. Patient UK website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated January 24, 2012. Accessed November 19, 2013.

6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.

12/30/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Anim-Somuah M, Smyth RM, Jones L. Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia in labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;12:CD000331.

Last reviewed September 2015 by Donald Buck, MD
Last Updated: 9/30/2013

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