Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia is a regional anesthetic technique that combines spinal anesthesia with epidural anesthesia and analgesia in the same patient. The spinal component provides a rapid onset of a predictable nerve block, while an indwelling epidural catheter allows longer-lasting analgesia with a dose that can be adjusted to the desired effect, and the catheter may be left in place for up to 72 hours if needed, allowing better postoperative pain control. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for women who need rapid-onset pain relief during labor.
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