Epidural Or Spinal Anesthesia, What’s The Difference?
There are big differences in the different types of regional anesthesia (partial anesthesia). But there is also a lot of confusion about this. In epidural or spinal anesthesia, an anesthesiologist (anesthetist) administers medication.
It is the responsibility of the doctor to give it by injection into or around the spine. Here, the sensation of pain is interrupted by a temporary blockage of the nerves.
Epidural anesthesia is known to be used to prevent pain during childbirth. In addition, epidural or spinal anesthesia is also used for operations on the abdomen, pelvis, legs or feet.
When using these anesthetics, the patient is awake. The methods are also known as PDA and lumbar anesthesia.
The spinal cord is located in the spinal canal and is covered by several layers. For this reason, it is very important to know that the anesthetics are used in two specific places.
One is in the dura mater (the hard skin of the spinal cord), where there is spinal fluid. The other site is outside the lining of the spinal cord.
Epidural or spinal anesthesia: differences
- Puncture site: The doctor inserts the PDA outside the skin of the spinal cord (into the thickest layer that covers the spinal cord). In contrast, the patient is given spinal anesthesia in the spinal space. As the name suggests, within the skin of the spinal cord.
Another difference is that the PDA is placed in the already dry layer. The spinal anesthesia, in turn, is placed in a moist place.
Before the needle can be correctly placed, you have to wait briefly for some liquid to emerge. This ensures that the needle has already penetrated the skin of the spinal cord.
- Time: The PDA is significantly slower. It takes about 20 minutes for it to take effect. However, the effect is long-term. That is why this form is mostly used for normal births. In contrast, spinal anesthesia works very quickly. It only takes seconds for the effects to kick in. However, the duration is limited and for this reason this anesthesia is mostly used for caesarean sections.
- The crowd: As already mentioned, the layer of the skin of the spinal cord is very thick and resilient. This means that with the PDA you need a larger amount of the anesthetic in order to achieve a satisfactory result. The amount of spinal anesthesia is smaller because the doctor injects it directly into the skin of the spinal cord and it flows around the spinal cord.
- The thickness of the trocar (surgical instrument): To perform a PDA, a thick instrument is required; often the doctor places a catheter. To treat prolonged pain, the doctor will give the drug in repeated doses. For this reason, the PDA is often used during childbirth.
In contrast, a smaller instrument is used for spinal anesthesia. The anesthetist injects the drug directly into the fluid in the spinal cord.
It is usually only injected once. That’s why you don’t need a catheter. However, the doctor will check blood oxygen levels, pulse, and blood pressure during the procedure.
The epidural and spinal anesthesia require follow-up care
The patient should not get out of bed after childbirth or an operation with a PDA. First of all, it must be ensured that the woman can be safe again.
In the case of spinal anesthesia, the patient should remain in bed for several hours to avoid headaches. It is also known that both anesthetics can cause nausea, dizziness, or fatigue.
Although both methods are very safe, epidurals or spinal anesthesia can cause the following complications
- Hernia in the area of the placed needle
- Allergy to anesthesia
- Preeclampsia, high blood pressure
- Strong headache
- Difficulty urinating
- Damage to the pulmonary system
- Drop in blood pressure
Ultimately, eliminating doubts and questions will help ensure that childbirth or surgery can be performed without risk. It is advisable to direct all the necessary questions to the specialist doctor who will carry out the appropriate treatment.
