What is an epidural anesthetic? What are the side effects and possible complications?
An epidural anesthetic is very similar to a spinal anesthetic except the epidural needle does not puncture the sac that holds the spinal fluid. Instead, a tiny tube or catheter is inserted through the needle and comes to rest just outside the sac. Numbing medication is given through this tube that gradually gets absorbed through the sac and into the spinal fluid. The epidural anesthetic therefore takes longer to provide pain relief.. The benefit of an epidural anesthetic is that it can last much longer than a spinal anesthetic by leaving the soft epidural catheter in place and continually giving medication. This flexibility is what makes epidural anesthesia the choice for relief of pain during labor. Many times the epidural catheter is left in place after surgery in order to give medication through the tube to help manage postoperative pain. Many patients ask if the placement of the epidural catheter is painful. In general, the placement of an epidural catheter is no more painful than
