Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 11/12/2007

Question
Hello
I had a L5-S1 (right) hemilaminectomy microdiscectomy for a severely herniated disc (shooting pain into buttock, leg and numbness in foot).  I will be 4 years postop at the time of delivery of my 2nd child (1st was born before surgery with epidural).  I have been searching every where for info regarding epidural placement along the spinal column (location) and if my back surgery might pose a problem for future epidurals.  

Thanks!

Answer
We can do epidurals in your case but there is a higher liklihood that it will either not work or you may have a patchy block. You should discuss this option with your anesthesiologist should you require an epidural in the future.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston