Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia(Spinal Block; Epidural Block)
by
Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD DefinitionThese 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 TOPSpinal and epidural anesthesia is frequently given for:
Advantages of these types of anesthesia include:
Possible Complications TOPProblems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
What to Expect TOPPrior to ProcedureMake sure that your doctor is aware of:
Description of the ProcedureYou will be connected to various monitors to keep track of your:
You may also have:
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.
Immediately After Procedure TOPYou will stay in bed until your legs are no longer numb. How Long Will It Take? TOPGiving spinal or epidural anesthesia usually takes about 15 minutes.
How Much Will It Hurt? TOPYou will feel some pain when the needle is inserted. Average Hospital Stay TOPYour hospital stay depends on the type of surgery being done. Postoperative Care TOPAt the HospitalIf 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 HomeFor the first 24 hours:
Call Your Doctor TOPIt is important to monitor your recovery. Alert your doctor to any problems. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:
If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away. RESOURCES:American Society of Anesthesiologists https://www.asahq.org Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians https://familydoctor.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society http://www.cas.ca Health Canada https://www. canada.ca References:Epidural anesthesia. Baylor College of Medicine website. Available at: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/anesthesiology/for-patients/epidural-analgesia. Updated August 2010. Accessed October 2, 2017. Spinal anesthesia simulation. University of Florida website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed October 2, 2017. Regional anesthesia.https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/anesthesiology/for-patients/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 October 2, 2017. Spinal anaesthetic. Patient website. Available at: https://patient.info/health/spinal-anaesthetic. Updated August 17, 2017. Accessed October 2, 2017.
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Last reviewed September 2018 by
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Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 9/30/2013 | |
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