Genesis and evolution of lumbar epidural anesthesia in its first century

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar epidural anesthesia is the technique preferred by a great number of anesthesiologists. It allows to perform several surgical interventions and is useful for the treatment of acute and chronic pain; at the same time, it provides the patient with different benefits. It ls also worth highlighting its versatility, since it can be combined with other anesthetic methods, as well as to be extended for postoperative pain relief.

Objective: To describe the scientific advances that led to the appearance of lumbar epidural anesthesia and what has been the evolution of this anesthetic technique over a century.

Development: Lumbar access to the epidural space for anesthetic purposes was published by the Spanish surgeon Fidel Pagés in March 1921. After a decade in oblivion, it was introduced by the Italian surgeon Archile Dogliotti, in 1931. From then on, it has been incorporated several valuable advances.

Conclusions: Lumbar epidural anesthesia was described a century ago by Dr. Pagés. The contributions achieved have been varied and numerous, some of which have been the subject of controversy; however, it has become a universal technique that continues to capture the preference of many anesthesiologists.

Keywords: history of anesthesiology; epidural anesthesia; scientific advances.