Serious epidural complications, in real numbers
Rare enough to be reassuring. Real enough to be disclosed.
Across 1.37 million obstetric epidurals: permanent nerve injury 1 in 240,000, epidural hematoma 1 in 168,000, deep infection 1 in 145,000, temporary nerve injury 1 in 6,700. Permanent harm is roughly a one in a quarter million event.
Where this comes from:
33. Ruppen W, Derry S, McQuay H, Moore RA. Incidence of epidural hematoma, infection, and neurologic injury in obstetric patients with epidural analgesia/anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 2006;105(2):394-399.
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