What is the difference between Epidural and Spinal?

Both Epidural and spinal anesthesia can be used in place of general anesthesia if there is a risk of the patient not doing well with being placed under the general form. The Epidural is used mostly to pinpoint an area just above and below the injection site and mostly during childbirth. The spinal is much more effective because it can block pain in specific fields from the mid-chest to the toes. There is one called the saddle block, which would cover the area including the thighs, and the lower part of the trunk or basically from the waist to the thighs.

Sometimes when these types of anesthesia are utilized, they are coupled with what is known as MAC or Monitored Anesthesia Care. The patient will have a line placed in the arm or back of hand and medicines like versed, propofol, or fentanyl; which can help with anxiety, pain, and the patient being able to take instruction, but they will not recall the procedure.