Spinal Anesthesia and Epidural Anesthesia – What are these terms

Spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia are ways to numb a part of the body. They are often used:

• During childbirth.
• During surgery on certain parts of the body. These include:
  • Hip.
  • Pelvis.
  • Legs.
  • Lower belly (abdomen).
• After surgery on certain parts of the body. These include:
  • Belly.
  • Chest.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your doctor about drinking (hydration). These may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids. Some examples of clear liquids are:
  • Water.
  • Clear fruit juice.
  • Black coffee.
  • Plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your doctor about eating and drinking. These may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods. Examples of these are meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods. Examples of these are toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that have milk in them.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicine

Ask your doctor about:

• Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
• Changing or stopping your dietary supplements.
• Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.

General instructions

• Do not use any tobacco products for as long as possible.
  • Examples of these are cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes.
  • If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• If you use a sleep apnea device, ask your doctor whether you should bring it with you on the day of your surgery.
• Ask your doctor if you will have to stay overnight at the hospital or clinic.
• If you will not have to stay overnight:
  • Plan to have someone take you home.
  • Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.

What happens during the procedure?

• A doctor will put patches on your chest, a cuff around your arm, or a sensor device on your finger. They will be connected to monitors.
• An IV tube may be put into one of your veins. This tube is used to give fluids and medicines.
• You may be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• You may be asked to:
  • Sit up.
  • Lie on your side.
  • Bend your knees and chin toward your chest.
• An area of your back will be cleaned.
• You may get a shot of medicine in your back. The medicine will help prevent pain when a shot of numbing medicine is given.
• A needle will be put between the bones of your back. While this is being done:
  • Breathe normally.
  • Try not to move.
  • Stay as quiet as you can.
  • Tell your doctor if you feel a tingling shock or pain going down your leg.
• You will get the shot of numbing medicine.
• If you need more medicine, a tube (catheter) may be put in the place where you got the shot. The tube will be used to give you more medicine. It will be left in if you need pain medicine after the procedure.
• A bandage (dressing) may be put on your back.

The procedure may vary among doctors and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Stay in bed until your doctor says it is safe to walk.
• Your doctors will check on you often until the medicines wear off.
• If there is a tube in your back, it will be taken out when it is no longer needed.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• It is common to feel sick to your stomach (nauseous) and itchy. There are medicines that can help. It is also common to:
  • Be sleepy.
  • Throw up (vomit).
  • Have numbness or tingling in your legs.
  • Have trouble peeing (urinating).

Summary

• Spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia are ways to numb a part of the body.
• If you use a sleep apnea device, ask your doctor whether you should bring it with you on the day of your surgery.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions about things to do before your procedure.
• The spinal or epidural anesthetic will be given through the space between the bones in your back.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Spinal Anesthesia and Epidural Anesthesia, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your doctor may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, call your doctor.

Follow these instructions at home:

For at least 24 hours after the procedure:

• Have a responsible adult stay with you. It is important to have someone help care for you until you are awake and alert.
• Rest as needed.
• Do not do activities where you could fall or get hurt (injured).
• Do not drive.
• Do not use heavy machinery.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not take sleeping pills or medicines that make you sleepy (drowsy).
• Do not make important decisions.
• Do not sign legal documents.
• Do not take care of children on your own.

Eating and drinking

• If you throw up (vomit), drink water, juice, or soup when nausea and vomiting stop.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
• Make sure you do not feel like throwing up (nauseous) before you eat solid foods.
• Follow the diet that your doctor recommends.

General instructions

• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you have sleep apnea, surgery and certain medicines can raise your risk for breathing problems. Follow instructions from your doctor about when to wear your sleep device. Your doctor may tell you to wear your sleep device:
  • Anytime you are sleeping, including during daytime naps.
  • While taking prescription pain medicines, sleeping pills, or medicines that make you sleepy.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
  • If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
  • If you smoke, do not smoke by yourself. Make sure someone is nearby in case you need help.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• It has been more than one day since your procedure and you feel like throwing up.
• It has been more than one day since your procedure and you throw up.
• You have a rash.

Get help right away if:

• You have a fever.
• You have a headache that lasts a long time.
• You have a very bad headache.
• Your vision is blurry.
• You see two of a single object (double vision).
• You are dizzy or light-headed.
• You faint.
• Your arms or legs tingle, feel weak, or get numb.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You cannot pee (urinate).

Summary

• After the procedure, have a responsible adult stay with you at home until you are fully awake and alert.
• Do not do activities that might get you injured. Do not drive, use heavy machinery, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for 24 hours after the procedure.
• Take medicines as told by your doctor. Do not use products that contain nicotine or tobacco.
• Get help right away if you have a fever, blurry vision, difficulty breathing or passing urine, or weakness or numbness in arms or legs.