Definition

Noun: - A type of regional anesthesia: This medical procedure involves injecting anesthetic medication into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. It blocks nerve signals, resulting in a loss of sensation in specific regions of the body, particularly the abdomen, genitals, and pelvic area. It is commonly used to provide pain relief during childbirth and for various gynecological surgeries.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient requested epidural anaesthesia for pain management during labor.
  • Epidural anaesthesia is often preferred for cesarean sections because it allows the mother to remain awake.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In medical literature, the effectiveness of "epidural anaesthesia" is often discussed in terms of its onset time, dermatomal level of blockade, and potential side effects.
  • The study compared the hemodynamic effects of spinal versus epidural anaesthesia.

Variants and Related Words

• Epidural (noun/adjective): A common shortened form.
  • She had an epidural during delivery.
• Epidural anesthesia (noun): An alternative spelling, primarily American English.
• Epidural block (noun): Another clinical term for the procedure.

Synonyms

• Regional anesthesia: A broader category that includes epidural anaesthesia.
• Neuraxial anesthesia: A more technical term encompassing both spinal and epidural techniques.

Related Phrases

• Administer an epidural: To perform the procedure of giving epidural anaesthesia.
  • The anesthesiologist will administer the epidural in the operating room.
• Epidural catheter: The thin tube placed in the epidural space to deliver continuous medication.
  • The epidural catheter was secured to her back.

Noun

1. regional anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord; sensation is lost in the abdominal and genital and pelvic areas; used in childbirth and gynecological surgery