What are Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia?
Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia are two of the most commonly used regional anestheics. They are used for procedures performed on the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremity. These anesthetics in some cases might be advantageous over general anesthetics depending on the patient’s anethetic histroy or personal preferences. In certain instances discharge from the hospital may also be expedited. Spinal anesthesia is the introduction of a local anesthetic into the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal nerves in the lower back region. This results in numbness from the waist down for a period of time appropriate for the surgery. The duration of the anesthesia is determined by the specific local anesthetic used. Epidural anesthesia is the introduction of a local anesthetic into the area adjacent to the nerves outside the spinal fluid sac. A catheter is inserted into this space, and the duration of the anesthesia can be lengthened by repeated administration of local anesthetic through the cathe
