Application

The epidural anaesthesia or the epidural catheter can be used for all procedures where a targeted elimination of pain in a specific region of the body is desired. Depending on the height of the intervention site, the pain catheter can be placed in different areas of the spine. The best known is the use of epidural anesthesia at birth.

In order to relieve the pain during childbirth, many women nowadays have a fixed schedule of epidural anesthesia. After the first contractions, the anaesthetist can place a pain catheter, but it is important to note that the time to take effect is at least 20-30 minutes. Therefore, if the patient decides to have an epidural for the pain only during the birth process, it may already be too late.

However, the case is clearer with a Caesarean section.To enable the patient to be awake and conscious during the caesarean section, an epidural catheter is always placed beforehand to anaesthetize the skin in the abdominal region where the incision is made and the pain sensors of the organs. The pain catheter is then placed in the area of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae during the caesarean section as well as during normal birth. Another area of application for the epidural catheter is the herniated disc.

Here it can be used alternatively for patients who do not wish to undergo surgery or who have too many risk factors (age, previous illnesses, etc.). The catheter is then placed under CT control exactly in the area of the herniated disc and must remain in place for 5 days for drug treatment. In the case of a herniated disc, in addition to painkillers, anti-inflammatory and osmotically active substances can be injected to reduce the nerve swelling and even shrink the herniated disc.

Thus, the discomfort is taken away in the long term and the patient remains pain-free. Furthermore, the peridural catheter can be used for almost all procedures on the upper body, abdomen and legs. Even open-heart surgery on an awake patient is possible (for this purpose the area from the seventh cervical vertebra to the third thoracic vertebra is anaesthetized). For operations on the upper abdomen, the area of the seventh to eighth thoracic vertebrae is anaesthetized, for the middle abdomen in the area of the tenth thoracic vertebra and for operations on the legs, e.g. knee operations, amputations or other pain, in the area of the third lumbar vertebra.