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The doctor will carefully insert an epidural needle between your vertebrae, thread a hollow tube through the needle, and remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place. Anesthetic is then administered through the catheter.
Review Date 4/30/2025
Updated by: Mark Gjolaj, MD, MBA, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Specialist, The Permanente Medical Group and Clinical Assistant Professor Adjunct, Stanford Health Care, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
