Patient
controlled epidural analgesia
| David
Hepner MD, Assistant Professor
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Bhavani
Shankar Kodali MD, Associate Professor
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Patient
controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) allows you to dispense
additional pain relieving medicine into your epidural,
whenever you feel pain or discomfort. The anesthesiologist initiates the epidural to
provide a constant baseline level of pain relief;
provides you a corded switch from the pump, which enables
you to deliver additional amounts at your will. The
anesthesiologist sets limits in the pump which prevent
from using too much medicine. PCEA is just an extension of continuous epidural
analgesia that we currently use, just as the combined
spinal-epidural technique is an extension of an
epidural. There
are no added side effects or complications as a result
of the PCEA technique. On the other hand, PCEA provides similar pain relief to that of a
continuous infusion, with a lower anesthetic
dosage and with less foot and leg numbness. PCEA has been gaining in popularity over the last
few years, as it is easy to use, reduces physician
interventions, and expectant mothers are very satisfied
with this technique. In addition, this technique offers
a sense of control over the extent of pain relief you
desire.
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