What is the difference between epidural and spinal block? What are their specific indications?

I know the area where to administer epidural anesthesia (between the ligamentum flavum and the dura mater) as well as next to the spinal block (in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater). But I don't know if what are the scope of difference covered between the two when it comes to indications. Can you give light to my confusion? Thank you [",]

Answers:    The big difference is that epidural anesthesia is continuously deliver through an infusion pump through an indwelling epidural catheter whereas as spinal anesthesia is a one time dose of anesthesia injected using a spinal needle. Their placement areas are generally the same.
The epidural would be used for longer-term treatment as the amount and length of anesthesia can be in step with the pump. The spinal block would be used when the expected length of treatment is less than an hour or two, usually when the anesthesia is required immediately.
So, for example, a woman requesting anesthesia for labor would own an epidural, where as a woman going in for an emergency cesarean would have a spinal block. Spinal block is also used when transfer is imminent and pain relief is required forthwith. I'm not sure if this will answer your question or not. This is copy and pasted from a question similar to yours.

There are several layer between your skin and the subarachnoid space (where your cerebrospinal fluid is).

The layers in order are skin > fascia > supraspinous ligament > interspinous ligament > ligamentum flavum > epidural space > dura > subarachnoid space.

When placing an epidural, the anesthetist places a catheter (thin plastic tubing) contained by the epidural space. This gives you a continuous infusion of local anesthetic that numbs up the part of your body that is covered. It can bear 10 minutes or so for the epidural to start taking effect.

When doing a spinal, the anesthetist performs a single injection in the subarachnoid space. There is no catheter. The effect is immediate and the numbness can final for a few hours depending on the dose and concentration of the drug. In general this is used for surgical anesthesia (e.g c-section) but can also be used when the patient needs rushed relief and she is about to deliver.

At many institutions including the tot factory known as Prentice Women's Hospital (Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago), the anesthesiologists usually do a combined technique to get the immediate effects of the spinal and the continuous infusion of the epidural.

The information post by website user , Helpde.com not guarantee correctness.


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