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TwitterEpidural Anaesthesia Compensation Claims
Epidural anaesthesia is the term used to describe the blocking of the nerves from the spinal cord to the lower part of the body by injecting a local anaesthetic or pain killing medication into the epidural space. This small space lies within the spine just outside the outer covering of the spinal cord at the level of the mid lower back and is where the nerves supplying the uterus and lower body leave the spine.
Epidural anaesthesia is commonly used in childbirth to alleviate the pain of labour, and is increasingly used in certain surgical procedures to treat post-operative pain and to avoid the risks of a general anaesthetic.
In childbirth the epidural is usually started in the early stages of labour before the cervix (neck of womb) has started to dilate. It is fully effective in about 95% of cases and up to 40% of women in UK hospitals have an epidural while giving birth, although the figures do vary between hospitals.
An epidural is always given by an anaesthetist who locates the epidural space by inserting a thin hollow needle into the lower part of the spine. A small plastic tube is then introduced into the back through the needle and left in position when the needle is removed. The tube is usually connected to an automatic pump that is adjusted to introduce a certain amount of medication every hour.
Epidural anaesthesia has been used for many years and is a safe and reliable technique but complications do occasionally arise. About 1% of patients get what is known as a spinal headache, which can be quite severe especially on sitting up or standing. It occurs when the epidural needle nicks the covering of the spinal cord resulting in a small leak of fluid from around the cord. The leak usually heals itself within a few days but occasionally has to be plugged by what is known as a blood patch. This involves injecting a small amount of the patient's own blood into the epidural space where it forms a clot over the leak.
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