Epidural anaesthesia

In epidural or epidural anaesthesia, the anaesthetist applies a quantity of local or local anaesthetic around the nerves at the level of the spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for transmitting pain impulses to the brain. The medication applied blocks these pain impulses.

Place of anaesthesia

Depending on where the lumbar puncture is performed, the body area switched off will be different.

• With the low epidural, the lower half of the body becomes numb (often in hip or knee replacement surgery).
• A higher-level epidural will render the abdominal region numb (often in abdominal surgery).

Pain pump

During epidural anaesthesia, the anaesthetist may leave an epidural catheter in situ in some cases. This catheter can be used to give additional pain relief after surgery or to switch on an epidural pain pump such that anaesthesia can also be given continuously.

Epidural anaesthesia in childbirth/caesarean section

Read more about anaesthesia in childbirth or caesarean section here.

Find out how women-as-you experience epidural anaesthesia.

In some circumstances, the anaesthetist cannot place an epidural:

• You are allergic to local anaesthetics.
• You have an infection at the puncture site (lower back).
• You have had previous back surgery at the puncture site.
• You have a clotting disorder or have taken blood thinners in the last few days.

An epidural is a safe technique, yet side effects can occasionally occur.

Blood pressure drop

This is why an infusion is always placed before the epidural. The drop in blood pressure can be easily coped with extra fluids and possibly medication administered through the drip.

Reduced feeling in the legs (= 'voze' legs)

This is a normal effect of the medication given. This is also the reason why you are asked to stay in bed after the epidural.

Itching

This is also a side effect of the medication and is harmless. The itching will disappear when the medication wears off.

Headache

In rare cases, you may experience a headache afterwards. This occurs when a small hole was accidentally made in the spinal cord membrane during the puncture. This is usually transient provided flat bed rest. An exceptional occasion will require a 'blood patch'. This means that a new epidural is performed and a small amount of the patient's own blood is injected locally to close the hole. This will almost always give an immediate improvement in symptoms.

Persistent nerve pain or paralysis

Permanent nerve pain or paralysis are extremely rare complications.