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StatPearls, LLC

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anesthesia, Epidural
  • Anesthetics
  • COVID-19
  • Muscle Spasticity

Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthesia is a method of neuraxial pain control in which anesthetic medications are injected into the epidural space to block sensory and motor spinal nerve roots in the thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and lower extremity areas. This epidural technique can be used for anesthesia during procedures, chronic pain, or muscle spasticity as a primary anesthetic or pain management adjuvant. The primary advantages epidural anesthesia offers are the ability for clinicians to tailor the medication used and the type of administration (ie, intermittent or continuous infusion) to meet the clinical need. Additionally, this technique can reduce the opioid requirement during and after a procedure, lowering the incidence of associated adverse effects. This is particularly relevant in pediatric anesthesia, where the potential negative impact of certain anesthetic drugs on neurodevelopment is debated, postoperative pain management as part of a multimodal approach, and recently as an alternative to aerosol-generating general anesthesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several complications and risks are also associated with the epidural technique. Therefore, this activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner s competence in recognizing the indications and contraindications for epidural anesthesia as well as the risks, benefits, and complications involved. Additionally, clinicians will have knowledge of the current techniques recommended for performing epidural anesthesia and the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients who undergo the procedure to optimize outcomes.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsNursingUp to 2 creditsPharmacyUp to 2 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABOS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 2 credits
  • MOC · Up to 2 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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