EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA--the word "epidural" is a general term
to refer to a way to deliver anesthetic medications --there are several
different types of epidurals, depending on their use and the mix of
medications infused into them.
The definition or meaning of the word "epidural" has to
do with "an area on top of the dural space" which is the
covering of the spinal canal. So an epidural is placement of medications
into the epidural space, directly by injection or more usually through
a tiny catheter, so the medicines can be as a continuous infusion.
There are epidurals that are used for labor and delivery, epidurals
that are used for surgery, such as cesarean section or other abdominal
surgery, and epidurals that are given as back pain treatments (these
usually have steroids added).
Epidurals that are used for surgery make the body numb from the chest
down. The patient is awake during the surgery but can be sedated so
they do not become too anxious. Epidurals can be continued after the
surgery to keep the site of surgery pain-free during the postoperative
recovery period.
