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/ Back to home / Conditions, tests & treatments A-Z / Treatments / Epidural analgesia (pain management)
Epidural analgesia (pain management)Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
 Back to TopIntroductionYour child's anaesthetist may suggest use of an epidural for control of pain following surgery. This technique is widely used after major surgery involving the chest, abdomen or lower limbs and helps your child to recover faster by providing very good pain relief. Your anaesthetist will explain in more detail the benefits of having an epidural.
Back to TopHow does it work?After your child is asleep, the anaesthetist will insert an epidural catheter into the space surrounding the nerves in the spinal cord.
The catheter is a very thin plastic tube that looks like nylon fishing line. It is inserted through a special needle, which is removed once the epidural is in place.
The catheter is then covered with tape and a plastic dressing and will not inconvenience or restrict your child after surgery.
Local anaesthetic (and other pain relieving drugs) are injected through this catheter to ensure your child remains comfortable following surgery. Your child will remain asleep under general anaesthetic for the entire operation.
There is usually less vomiting after use of an epidural and this often allows them to start eating and drinking sooner and assists in faster recovery.
Back to TopIs it safe to have an epidural?Having an epidural is regarded as very safe, but like most medical procedures, carries some risk. This risk will be weighed against the benefits of having an epidural. In theory, the most serious risk is causing damage to the nerves in the spinal cord, however this is extremely rare in practice.
Your anaesthetist will recommend against having an epidural if there are any doubts about using it in your child (for example, a medical reason).
An epidural may reduce the ability to empty the bladder following surgery, so it is often necessary to put a tube into the bladder. This will be done whilst your child is asleep and is often a requirement of the type of surgery as well.
Back to TopHow long will my child require an epidural?Following the surgery the epidural will be continued, using a pump to deliver a mixture of local anaesthetic and other analgesics into the catheter.
The duration depends on the type of surgery being undertaken, but the epidural is usually removed after two or three days as the pain of surgery settles and your child starts to eat and drink, after which they can receive milder pain relief by mouth.
Sometimes your child's anaesthetist may recommend leaving the epidural longer if it will benefit your child, especially if drinking is delayed by the surgery.
There is a small risk of developing an infection following an epidural so it is usual to remove the catheter as soon as it is no longer required, or if your child develops a sustained temperature for any reason.
Your child will be reviewed by your hospital's pain service or by a member of the team looking after your child whilst on the ward, and the anaesthetist can advise on further management if required.
Back to TopAcknowledgementsStarship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand acknowledge the co-operation of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick, and Kaleidoscope - Hunter Children's Health Network in making this fact sheet available to patients and families.
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 21/02/2006
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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