PAIN, POSTOPERATIVE: EPIDURAL ANALGESIA

Course overview

Epidural analgesia (EA; also called neuroaxial analgesia) is a form of regional analgesia. EA involves injecting medication—most commonly opioids, such as morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, hydromorphone hydrochloride, and meperidine—through a catheter placed by an anesthesiologist into the epidural or intraspinal space between the dura mater (i.e., the tough, fibrous membrane that forms the outer covering of the CNS) and the vertebral bones of the spine. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of EA, including drugs commonly used for pain control via EA and complications of EA, and to aid in caring for the postoperative patient receiving EA. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.