Epidural analgesia is a method of pain relief commonly used for postoperative pain management. It involves the administration of local anesthetic and/or opioids into the epidural space, which is the outermost part of the spinal canal. It was first performed in 1921 and became more popular and widespread after the work of American physicians in the 1940’s and 1950’s. It is much more common in laboring mothers, but is often used for larger abdominal or thoracic surgeries.

During the procedure, the patient will sit on the side of the bed and a fine catheter is inserted into the epidural space through a needle. The catheter is left in place, allowing for the continuous administration of medications. The medications block pain signals, reducing or eliminating pain sensation while preserving some muscle strength and mobility.

Epidurals provide effective pain relief by targeting specific nerve roots that transmit pain signals, allowing your CRNA to selectively target the site of surgery. The onset of pain relief may take a short time to achieve, typically within 10-20 minutes, and the level of analgesia can be adjusted based on the patient's needs.

One of the advantages of epidural analgesia is that it can provide more comprehensive and prolonged pain relief compared to other methods, such as oral or IV opioids. Additionally, epidural analgesia can be used in combination with other anesthesia techniques, such as spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia, for surgical procedures.

However, epidural analgesia is not without potential risks and side effects. These may include a drop in blood pressure, itching, urinary retention, headache (if the dura is punctured during the procedure), and, rarely, more serious complications like infection or nerve damage.

It is very important that you notify your CRNA if you take any blood thinning medication.