Continuous epidural anaesthesia is used for:

279. Ans: a (Post operative analgesia) Ref: Ajay Yadav, p. 124Continuous epidural anesthesia is used for post operative analgesiaEpidural anaesthesia or extradural anaesthesia or peridural blockIndications* Mainly used for controlling post operative pain * All surgeries which can be performed under spinal anaesthesia plus upper abdominal surgeries, thoracic surgeries and even neck surgeries can be performed* For painless labour* To control chronic pain due to cancer and other chronic painful conditions* Acute occlusive vascular conditions* Blood patch for post spinal headacheNote:Needle most commonly used - Touhy needleDurran sign - in unconscious patients rapid induction of drug in epidural space causes increase in rate and depth of respiration.Level of block required for common surgeriesCesarian section-upto T6Prostate-upto T 10Testicular surgeries-upto 110Hernia-upto T 10Appendix-upto T 8Hysterectomy-upto T 6Perianal surgeries-sacral segmentsStructures encountered while giving spinal anaesthesia7 structures1) Skin2) Subcutaneous tissue3) Supraspinous ligament- connecting the tips of spinous process4) Inter spinous ligament - joins the spinous processes together5) Ligamentum flavum - running from lamina to lamina6) Dura7) Arachnoid