Epidural administration
Epidural Administration
Epidural administration (pronounced: eh-pi-doo-ral ad-min-is-tra-shun) is a medical procedure that involves the injection of drugs into the epidural space of the spinal cord.
Etymology
The term "epidural" is derived from the Greek words "epi", meaning "upon" or "over", and "dura", referring to the dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges, which is the system of membranes that envelops the central nervous system. "Administration" comes from the Latin "administratio", meaning "to serve" or "to manage".
Procedure
Epidural administration is typically performed by an anesthesiologist or a specially trained nurse anesthetist. The procedure involves the insertion of a needle and a small tube, or catheter, into the epidural space, which is located between the dura mater and the vertebral wall. The drug to be administered is then injected through the catheter.
Uses
Epidural administration is most commonly used for pain relief during labor and childbirth, but it can also be used for surgery on the lower body, such as hip or knee replacement, or for the management of chronic pain. The drugs administered via this method typically include local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine or ropivacaine, and opioids, such as fentanyl or morphine.
Related Terms
- Spinal anesthesia: A type of regional anesthesia involving injection of a local anesthetic into the subarachnoid space.
- Lumbar puncture: A diagnostic and at times therapeutic procedure performed in order to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.
- Caudal anesthesia: A type of regional anesthesia or analgesia that involves injecting the anesthetic into the epidural space through the sacral hiatus.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Epidural administration
- Wikipedia's article - Epidural administration
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