epidural anaesthetic

In medicine, procedure that induces loss of sensation in the lower part of the body. The spinal nerves are blocked in the epidural space by injection of small volumes of local anaesthetic into the tissues surrounding the spinal cord through a catheter. The catheter can be used to introduce further volumes of local anaesthetic if the block begins to wear off before the end of the procedure. Epidurals are commonly used as a method of pain relief during childbirth.