Epidural Or Spinal Anesthesia, What’s The Difference?
The anesthesiologist is the physician responsible for administering anesthesia by injecting into or around the spine to block or numb pain in the body.
In the best known cases, epidural anesthesia is used to avoid pain during childbirth. However, the epidural or spinal can be used in operations on the abdomen, pelvis, legs and feet. When applying these anesthesias, the patient stays awake. They are also epidural and spinal, respectively.
As we know, within the spinal column, in its semicentral channel is the spinal cord, which is covered by several layers. In this regard, it is essential to know that these anesthesias are used in two specific places. One is inside the dura, where there is cerebrospinal fluid, and the other outside it, where it remains always dry.
Epidural or spinal anesthesia and their differences
- The place. Epidural anesthesia is introduced into the patient outside the dura, that is, into the thickest layer of the spinal cord. In contrast to the spinal, it is administered to the patient in the spinal space, as the name implies, inside the dura.
- Another difference from the place where it is administered to the patient is that the epidural is applied to the layer that is already dry. On the other hand, the spinal is applied in a damp place. In other words, you have to wait for some fluid to come out to make sure that the needle has entered the dura mater to apply the anesthesia.
- The time. The epidural is much slower. It takes approximately 20 minutes for it to take effect. However, it has a long effect and is used mainly in normal delivery. On the other hand, the spinal is much faster, it takes a few seconds to take effect. However, its duration is limited and is used for cesarean section.
- The amount. As mentioned earlier, the dura mater layer is thicker and more resistant. For this reason, epidural anesthesia needs more to reach the final goal. While the amount of spinal anesthesia is small because it goes directly into the dura mater, bathing the spinal cord.
- The thickness of the perforation. To administer epidural anesthesia, a thicker perforation is needed, often leaving a catheter in place. Therefore, one should administer the drug in repeated doses to deal with prolonged pain. It is commonly used in labor for this reason.
- In the spinal cord, a smaller perforation is used than in the epidural. The anesthetist injects fluid into the spinal cord, which is usually only done once. So the catheter is not needed. But during the procedure, blood oxygen levels, pulse, and blood pressure should be checked.
Both anesthesias require aftercare
After a delivery or operation, with epidural anesthesia the patient will stay in bed until he regains strength in his legs to walk safely. In the case of spinal anesthesia, the patient should be left in bed for several hours to avoid headaches. It is also known that both anesthesias can cause nausea, dizziness and tiredness.
Although these anesthesias are very safe, epidural or spinal anesthesia can cause other complications, such as the following:
- Hernias in the application area
- Anesthesia allergy
- Pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure
- Strong headache
- Difficulty to urinate
- Pneumological damage
- drop in blood pressure
Clearing up many doubts will help make the operation or delivery safer, faster and without any kind of risk. It is recommended to ask all the necessary questions to the specialist doctor who will deal with the situation.
