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epidural anesthesia

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.09 sec.
anesthesia /an·es·the·sia/ (an″es-the´zhah)
1. loss of sensation, usually by damage to a nerve or receptor.
2. loss of the ability to feel pain, caused by administration of a drug or other medical intervention.

basal anesthesia  narcosis produced by preliminary medication so that the inhalation of anesthetic necessary to produce surgical anesthesia is greatly reduced.
block anesthesia  regional a.
bulbar anesthesia  that due to a lesion of the pons.
caudal anesthesia  see under block.
closed circuit anesthesia  that produced by continuous rebreathing of a small amount of anesthetic gas in a closed system with an apparatus for removing carbon dioxide.
crossed anesthesia  see under hemianesthesia.
anesthesia doloro´sa  pain in an area or region that is anesthetic.
electric anesthesia  that induced by passage of an electric current.
endotracheal anesthesia  that produced by introduction of a gaseous mixture through a tube inserted into the trachea.
epidural anesthesia  that produced by injection of the anesthetic into the extradural space, either between the vertebral spines or into the sacral hiatus (caudal block).
general anesthesia  a state of unconsciousness and insusceptibility to pain, produced by administration of anesthetic agents by inhalation, intravenously, intramuscularly, rectally, or via the gastrointestinal tract.
infiltration anesthesia  local anesthesia produced by injection of the anesthetic solution in the area of terminal nerve endings.
inhalation anesthesia  that produced by the inhalation of vapors of a volatile liquid or gaseous anesthetic agent.
insufflation anesthesia  that produced by blowing a mixture of gases or vapors into the respiratory tract through a tube.
local anesthesia  that produced in a limited area, as by injection of a local anesthetic or by freezing with ethyl chloride.
lumbar epidural anesthesia  that produced by injection of the anesthetic into the epidural space at the second or third lumbar interspace.
muscular anesthesia  loss or lack of muscle sense.
open anesthesia  general inhalation anesthesia using a cone, without significant rebreathing of exhaled gases.
peripheral anesthesia  that due to changes in the peripheral nerves.
regional anesthesia  insensibility of a part induced by interrupting the sensory nerve conductivity of that region of the body; it may be produced by either field block or nerve block (see under block ).
sacral anesthesia  spinal anesthesia by injection of anesthetic into the sacral canal and about the sacral nerves.
saddle block anesthesia  see under block.
spinal anesthesia 
1. regional anesthesia by injection of a local anesthetic into the subarachnoid space around the spinal cord.
2. loss of sensation due to a spinal lesion.
surgical anesthesia  that degree of anesthesia at which operation may safely be performed.
tactile anesthesia  loss or impairment of the sense of touch.
topical anesthesia  that produced by application of a local anesthetic directly to the area involved, as to the oral mucosa or the cornea.
transsacral anesthesia  sacral a.

epidural anesthesia
n.
Regional anesthesia produced by injection of a local anesthetic into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine.

Epidural anesthesia
A type of anesthesia that is injected into the epidural space of the spinal cord to numb the nerves leading to the lower half of the body.

epidural anesthesia/analgesia,
a type of anesthesia block in which a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. Epidurals are most commonly performed in the lumbar area by an injection of medication through a catheter placed in the epidural space. Analgesia is maintained by either intermittent dosing or a continuous infusion. Close monitoring of vital signs, respirations, pain, and sensation is important. Epidurals have a wide application in anesthesia and pain management because of their safety and versatility. Epidural anesthesia or analgesia can be tailored to affect an area of the body from the lower extremities to the upper abdomen. Epidurals are often used for labor and birth and in postoperative pain management. The most common adverse effects include unintentional dural membrane puncture, postdural puncture headache, and hypotension from sympathetic nerve block and vascular dilation. See also epidural hematoma, regional anesthesia.

anesthesia
loss of feeling or sensation. Artificial anesthesia may be produced by a number of agents capable of bringing about partial or complete loss of sensation. It is induced to permit the performance of surgery or other painful procedures. See also anesthetic.

balanced anesthesia
anesthesia that balances the depressing effects on the motor, sensory, reflex and mental aspects of nervous system function by the anesthetic agents. The philosophy encourages the use of several agents, each designed to affect one of the functions.
basal anesthesia
narcosis produced by preliminary medication so that the inhalation of anesthetic necessary to produce surgical anesthesia is greatly reduced.
block anesthesia
regional anesthesia. See also block.
caudal anesthesia
injection of an anesthetic into the sacral canal. See also caudal anesthesia.
central anesthesia
lack of sensation caused by disease of the nerve centers.
closed anesthesia
that produced by continuous rebreathing of a small amount of anesthetic gas in a closed system with an apparatus for removing carbon dioxide.
crossed anesthesia
loss of sensation on one side of the face and loss of pain and temperature sense on the opposite side of the body.
dissociated anesthesia, dissociation anesthesia
loss of perception of certain stimuli while that of others remains intact.
electric anesthesia
anesthesia induced by passage of an electric current.
endotracheal anesthesia
anesthesia produced by introduction of a gaseous mixture through a tube inserted into the trachea.
epidural anesthesia
see epidural anesthesia.
field block anesthesia
the anesthetic agent is injected around the boundaries of the area to be anesthetized, with no attempt to locate specific nerves.
frost anesthesia
abolition of feeling or sensation as a result of topical refrigeration produced by a jet of a highly volatile liquid.
general anesthesia
a state of unconsciousness produced by anesthestic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body and a greater or lesser degree of muscular relaxation; the drugs producing this state can be administered by inhalation, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally, or via the gastrointestinal tract.
infiltration anesthesia
local anesthesia produced by injection of the anesthetic solution directly into the area of terminal nerve endings.
inhalation anesthesia
anesthesia produced by the respiration of a volatile liquid or gaseous anesthetic agent. Halothane, methoxyflurane, isoflurane, and a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen are the common agents in veterinary use.
insufflation anesthesia
anesthesia produced by introduction of a gaseous mixture into the trachea through a slender tube.
intrasynovial anesthesia
injection of a local anesthetic agent into a joint or tendon sheath.
intrathecal anesthesia
introduction of local anesthetic agent into the spinal fluid by penetration of the spinal dura. Causes anesthesia in the tissues supplied by the nerves in the spinal cord zone that has been anesthetized. There is danger of injury to the cord and the technique is litte used in veterinary surgery. Called also subarachnoid, subdural or intradural anesthesia/analgesia.
intravenous anesthesia
the anesthetic agent, e.g. a barbiturate, is administered intravenously to effect. If an intravenous catheter is used, 'topping-up' amounts can also be administered as required.
intravenous regional anesthesia
irreversible anesthesia
the loss of sensory and motor function of the part is permanent. The local injection of isopropyl alcohol has this effect.
local anesthesia
that produced in a limited area, as by injection of a local anesthetic or by freezing with ethyl chloride. Includes infiltration, nerve block, field block, surface, regional, retrograde regional, spinal, epidural.
mixed anesthesia
that produced by use of more than one anesthetic agent.
nerve block anesthesia
the anesthetic agent is deposited from a syringe and needle as close to the target nerve as possible. Several injections are often made if the landmarks for the location of the nerve are not outstanding.
obstetrical anesthesia
open anesthesia
general inhalation anesthesia in which there is no rebreathing of the expired gases.
parasacral anesthesia
regional anesthesia produced by injection of a local anesthetic around the sacral nerves as they emerge from the sacral foramina.
paravertebral anesthesia
regional anesthesia produced by the injection of a local anesthetic around the spinal nerves at their exit from the spinal column, and outside the spinal dura.
parenteral anesthesia
anesthesia induced by the injection of the agent, either intravenously, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
peripheral anesthesia
lack of sensation due to changes in the peripheral nerves.
permeation anesthesia
analgesia of a body surface produced by application of a local anesthetic, most commonly to the mucous membranes. Called also surface anesthesia.
rectal anesthesia
anesthesia produced by introduction of the anesthetic agent into the rectum.
refrigeration anesthesia
local anesthesia produced by applying a tourniquet and chilling the part to near freezing temperature. Called also cryoanesthesia.
regional anesthesia
insensibility caused by interrupting the sensory nerve conductivity of any region of the body: produced by (1) field block, encircling the operative field by means of injections of a local anesthetic; or (2) nerve block, making injections in close proximity to the nerves supplying the area.
saddle block anesthesia
the production of anesthesia in the region of the body corresponding roughly with the areas of the buttocks, perineum and inner aspects of the thighs, by introducing the anesthetic agent low in the dural sac.
segmental anesthesia
loss of sensation in a segment of the body due to a lesion of a nerve root.
spinal anesthesia
1. anesthesia due to a spinal lesion.
2. anesthesia produced by injection of the agent beneath the membrane of the spinal cord.
splanchnic anesthesia
block anesthesia for visceral operation by injection of the anesthetic agent into the region of the celiac ganglia.
subarachnoid anesthesia
see intrathecal anesthesia (above).
surface anesthesia
the application of a local anesthetic agent in solution, as in eye drops, or as a jelly, cream or ointment. The use of cold materials which freeze the superficial layers of skin is not much used in veterinary surgery. See also permeation anesthesia (above).
surgical anesthesia
that degree of anesthesia at which operation may safely be performed. There is muscular relaxation, and coordinated movements, consciousness and pain sensations disappear; many of the spinal neuromuscular reflexes are abolished.
topical anesthesia
that produced by application of a local anesthetic directly to the area involved.

epidural
pertaining to or emanating from the dura mater.

epidural abscess
see brain abscess, spinal abscess.
epidural anesthesia
produced by injecting local anesthetic agent into the epidural space of the spinal canal at the first or second intercoccygeal space. Injection of a small amount of anesthetic agent produces anesthesia of the perineum without paralysis of the hindlimbs, a low epidural. Injection of a large volume at the same site produces a high epidural. The same effect is achieved by injecting the anesthetic at the lumbosacral or first interlumbar space. Called also extradural anesthesia, or analgesia, extradural block, epidural block.
Enlarge picture
Epidural anesthesia in a cow. By permission from Parkinson TJ, England GCW, Arthur GH, Arthur's Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Saunders, 2001
epidural block
see epidural anesthesia (above).
segmental dorsolumbar epidural block
injection of local anesthetic into the epidural space between the first two lumbar vertebrae produces anesthesia of both flanks. Used for standing abdominal surgery in horses or cattle.


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Effects of Epidural Anesthesia on Newborns and their Mothers," Child Dev 52, no.
Although current management for bladder spasm, such as opioids, sedatives, anticholinergics, and epidural anesthesia can be effective, breakthrough spasms often occur and side effects of the above measures commonly result.
Interventions such as cesarean delivery and the use of epidural anesthesia were significantly less common in the collaborative care group than among women who received traditional care.
 
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