Type of Surgery

Information

Doctor Certified

Last updated: 11/24/2009

Precautions

The primary problem associated with receiving epidural anesthesia is low blood pressure, otherwise known as hypotension, because of the blocking of sympathetic fibers in the epidural space. The decreased peripheral resistance that results in the circulatory...

system causes dilation of peripheral blood vessels. Fluid collects in the peripheral vasculature (vessels), simulating a condition that the body interprets as low fluid volume. A simple measure that prevents most hypotension is the infusion of 500–1000 cc of fluid intravenously into the patient prior to the procedure. Ringer's lactate is preferable to a solution containing dextrose, because the elevated maternal glucose that accompanies the rapid infusion of solutions containing dextrose can result in hyperglycemia in the newborn with rebound hypoglycemia.

It is important not to place a woman flat on her back after she has an epidural because the supine position can bring on hypotension. If a woman's blood pressure does drop, then the proper treatment is to turn her on her side, administer oxygen, increase the flow of intravenous fluids, and possibly administer ephedrine if the hypotension is severe. Very rarely, convulsions can result from severe reactions. Seizure activity would be treated with short-acting barbiturates or diazepam (Valium).



NEXT:
PREVIOUS:
2. Purpose

Advertisement

The brain has a system of open spaces deep within it that houses cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes those ventricles that contain cerebrospinal fluid need to be accessed and drained. This animation describes the placement of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt or CSF shunt that provides communication between brain ventricles and the abdomen. A newer, adjustable CSF shunt is described.

Related Videos

Prenatal test - Amniocentesis - Fetal medicine

Animated, narrated slide show that describes how amniotic fluid is sampled during amniocentesis. An ultrasound probe is used to help guide the needle during the procedure.

How an epidural is given during childbirth

Provides a step-by-step graphical description of how an anesthesiologist inserts an epidural prior to delivery of a pregnancy. The epidural provides anesthesia into the epidural space of the spinal cord to block all sensation from the level of the epidural down to the feet. The mother stays conscious, but free from vaginal pain, during the delivery with an epidural.

Artificial Cervical disc Replacement

This animation shows the steps involved in an anterior cervical disc replacement. The cervical spine is the spinal area that supports the head while the disks of the spine are the relatively soft areas between individual vertebra (spinal bones). As the animation shows, this cervical disc replacement involves the removal of the natural, diseased cervical disk and the replacement with an artifical joint.

Specialized Pain Management

For most of us, pain is something that occurs when we bang our foot or burn our finger; however, for some people pain is an unrelenting source of anguish that they must live with daily. This video shows a new and specific technique for pain control called spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation is a neurosurgical technique in which a thin electrode is inserted in the spinal cord up to the brain and stimulates nerve fibers do disrupt pain pathways.

Search

Other Information

An epidural is a local (regional) anesthetic delivered through a catheter (small tube) into a vacant space outside the spinal cord called the epidural space.

The drugs commonly used in epidural anesthesia are bupivicaine (Marcaine, Sensorcaine); chloroprocaine (Nesacaine); and lidocaine (Xylocaine). The solutions of anesthetic should be preservative-free.


From http://www.answers.com/topic/epidural-therapy

Other Information

An obstetrician/gynecologist, commonly abbreviated as OB/GYN, can serve as a primary physician and often serve as consultants to other physicians.


From: womenshealthchannel.com

Find a Qualified Specialist

Looking for a specialist?

Please enter your zip code.