[Epidural anesthesia: indications and limitations (author's transl)].

The effectiveness and indications for epidural anesthesia have progressed in the last two decades. Better techniques, new long-acting local anesthetics, and better understanding of pathophysiologic changes after epidural block made this technique widely used and rather safe. Nowadays, limitations of epidural block include the absolute and relative contraindications, the lack of pharmacologic and pathophysiologic knowledge, and insufficient techniques and equipment. In experienced hands, epidural block is one of the safest techniques for surgical anesthesia.