What Is Epidural Anesthesia And How Is It Applied?

Epidural anesthesia; It is one of the regional anesthesia methods to prevent the sensation of pain in the desired region of the body.

It is applied by an anesthesiologist who is experienced in this field. The purpose of epidural anesthesia, unlike general anesthesia, which is the loss of all senses, is only to stop the sensation of pain. Senses such as temperature and touch are not affected. Epidural anesthesia, which can be safely applied for various surgical procedures involving the lower half of the body, as well as normal and cesarean delivery, is similar to spinal anesthesia, but its application technique is quite different. You are asked to arch your back in a sitting or lying position. After applying an antiseptic solution to the lumbar region, it is anesthetized by giving local anesthesia. Anesthetics applied outside the sac where the spinal cord is located, where the cerebrospinal fluid is located, are sent to the body through a thin tube called a catheter, not by direct injection. The plastic catheter is left in place to allow administration of drugs and repeat doses. It is fixed with the help of a plaster so that it does not slip. The patient is conscious and can walk after the procedure. Although epidural anesthesia is an application that can be performed at any level; It may result in serious spinal cord injuries at the levels where the spinal cord terminates (upper levels from the 2nd lumbar vertebra). Therefore, it should be performed by highly experienced anesthesiologists.

What are the Negative Sides of Epidural Anesthesia?

Although it is seen very rarely; It can cause an uncontrolled drop in blood pressure. Therefore, blood pressure is frequently monitored. Headache Palpitations Dizziness Bleeding, bruising or swelling at the site of anesthesia Tinnitus Back pain Nausea and difficulty urinating These effects are unlikely to occur. Epidural anesthesia can be applied easily and safely, mostly without any side effects. In Which Situations

Epidural Anesthesia Is Not Applied ?

If the patient does not want the application; If there is excessive bleeding or shock, Patients who use anticoagulant drugs, Those with bleeding disorders, Those who have infection in the intervention area, Patients who have undergone an operation for lumbar hernia or any other reason, epidural anesthesia may not be applied.

SPINOEPIDURAL (COMBINED) ANESTHESIA What is Spinoepidural (Combined) Anesthesia and How Is It Applied?

The combined method of spinal and epidural anesthesia is called spinoepidural combined anesthesia. While a comfortable surgical environment is created with spinal anesthesia in patients for whom a rapid onset is desired, medication is given for postoperative pain control via the inserted epidural catheter. This method is often preferred in cesarean sections. The effect of spinal anesthesia starts faster than epidural anesthesia. In cases where it is desired to continue post-operative pain treatment with a rapid onset; It is applied together with spinal and epidural anesthesia.

After the epidural space is found, the thin needle is passed through the epidural needle to reach the spinal fluid and a small amount of drug is given to the spinal fluid. The fine spinal needle is removed and the epidural catheter is inserted into the epidural space. The epidural needle is then removed and the catheter is fixed to the back as usual. The epidural pump injects drugs slowly. The effect of spinal anesthesia lasts about 90 minutes. As the effect of spinal anesthesia diminishes, epidural anesthesia comes into play.