Spinal vs. epidural

Hi Susie, I was given both for my thr, along with sedation, earphones and music. I remember drifting in and out, no pain, no noise and giving the anaesthetist the occasional thumbs up!👍

Look at the useful info, or my website.

Spinal is a 'one shot' deal.  

Epidural can be topped up during the operation.

So if it is likely to last longer because of complications, the anaethetist will probably go for Epidural or General.

Graham

It's the same thing ( I think)

A spinal is a specific amount of numbing solution, given to you with one shot into your spinal fluid. Then needle removed. This is best for surgeries where you know the time. ( ex: Prostate biopsy ) The epidural is a drip, you have a smaller needle introduced into your spinal fluid and left there with tape. The anesthesiologist can control how much you need if it's a possible long surgery, it's standard for women giving birth. Depending on where they locate it, it can numb only certain parts of your body. One place for your chest, one place for your hip, depending on the nerves that need to be numbed. I LOVED my GA, it's like you get "happy juice" to calm you in pre-op and next thing you wake up and it's all over. Like magic. I'd never want a needle inserted into my spinal fluid. Intravenous valium is only to sedate you - I can't imagine that being given as anesthesia. There is a "twilight sleep" where you are awake, you just don't remember it. I've had that too, only once. All GA with 2 bunionectomies, bone spur removal w arthritic tissue around large toe on R foot, "elective nose job" and my hip surgery. My neck lift was when I had the twilight sleep. Easier for the surgeon, who can do this in the office, no large fee for aneshesia, ( though my bill was only $60 after insurance paid ) I think with GA you are far less fearful, you don't have to listen to the Black and Decker saw that cuts off your femur head, or the pop when they pull your leg loose from the cup, hammering in of the implant. I'd die of anxiety and fear. GA is safe, and I've worked in an OR for 11 years and never heard of anyone dying under anesthesia, which might have been true decades ago. My poor mother was given "ether: when she delivered her 3 children. That was the state of anesthesia 50 years ago. Things are so much better and easier for the patient. Yes, please discuss your concerns with the Anesthesia team. and Good Luck, Fast Healing and Little Pain!!

The difference as explained to me is you don't have all that anesthesia in your body if you do a spinal....you don't suffer the after effects....I had a spinal....it was just really weird to not feel your legs for a time afterword!