Neuraxial anesthesia is a type of regional anesthesia where local anesthetics are applied near the spinal cord to block nerve signals. This results in a temporary loss of sensation and motor function below the injection site. It is commonly used as an alternative to general anesthesia for surgeries involving the lower body, such as orthopedic, urological, and gynecological procedures. The two main types of neuraxial anesthesia are spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia.
In spinal anesthesia, a local anesthetic is injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the subarachnoid space, causing a rapid and deep block of sensation and motor function. This technique is effective for shorter to medium-length procedures. In contrast, epidural anesthesia involves injecting the anesthetic into the epidural space, located outside the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord. Epidural anesthesia takes longer to set in and provides a less intense block, but it offers greater flexibility as the anesthetic can be continuously infused or administered in doses as needed.
Both types of neuraxial anesthesia work by blocking sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) pathways, preventing the brain from receiving pain signals from the lower body and reducing motor function in that region. Additionally, these techniques can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature, which can lead to hypothermia during surgery.
