Epidural anesthesia is the injection of a numbing medicine into the space around the spinal cord and nerves in the back. The medicine numbs part of the body above and below the site of injection.

First, the area is numbed. Then the needle is inserted. A thin tube called a catheter may be threaded through the needle into the epidural space. Then the needle is removed, while the catheter stays in place. The epidural medicine is given through the needle or through the catheter.

Epidural anesthesia may be used for some types of surgery on the belly, chest, groin, or genitals. It also may be used to help control pain during childbirth.