What is the most common complication of an epidural?

The most common complication of an epidural is urinary retention. This occurs because the epidural anesthesia can disrupt normal autonomic control of bladder function, leading to difficulty in urination. The sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways that facilitate normal bladder contraction and relaxation can be affected, resulting in an inability to void.

While other complications such as infection at the site, hypotension, and neurological deficits are possible, they occur less frequently. Infection is generally a rare complication due to the sterile technique employed during the procedure. Hypotension can occur as a result of vasodilation caused by sympathetic block, but it is not as common as urinary retention. Neurological deficits, although serious, are rarer and often related to technical issues or hematoma formation rather than routine complications of the procedure. Thus, urinary retention stands out as the most prevalent complication following an epidural.