Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Epidural anesthesia
In epidural anesthesia, a tiny plastic catheter is placed into the epidural space through
which local anesthetics and or opiates are delivered.
The presence of an indwelling catheter allows the block to be extended in height or duration,
as required. For example, an epidural catheter could be used for a surgical procedure
that lasted 4 hours or more, well beyond the duration of a spinal anesthetic.
An epidural catheter that was being used for labour analgesia can be used as the anesthetic
technique when Caesarian section is required. An epidural used during surgical revasulariazation
of a lower limb can be left in place for several days to a week postoperatively to provide
postoperative pain. In each case, the volume and concentration of local anesthetic delivered
is adjusted to achieve the specific goals.
Related Glossary Terms
Bupivacaine, Dura, Epidural analgesia, Epidural space, Fentanyl, Intrathecal space, Lidocaine,
Local anesthetic toxicity, Morphine Sulfate, Parturient, Regional anesthesia, Spinal
anesthesia, Sympathetic nervous system
Index
Find Term
Chapter 3 - Anesthetic Techniques
Chapter 3 - Regional Anesthesia
Chapter 3 - Regional Anesthesia
Chapter 3 - Regional Anesthesia
Chapter 6 - Opioid agonists and antagonists
Chapter 6 - Opioid agonists and antagonists
Chapter 6 - Local Anesthetics
Chapter 6 - Local Anesthetics