Elena Casado, anesthesiologist: "How old were you when you found out that the epidural was a Spanish invention?"

Very few people know that one of the great medical milestones of the 20th century, directly linked to pain relief during childbirth, was invented by a Spanish doctor. Dr. Elena Casado , an anesthesiologist and educator, shares this in one of her TikTok videos: "How old were you when you found out that the epidural was invented by a Spanish doctor?"

With her characteristic clear and pedagogical style, the anesthesiologist poses a question that invites reflection on the widespread ignorance of a crucial breakthrough. Indeed, the epidural , used in millions of births worldwide, was developed by Fidel Pagés , a military doctor born in Huesca in 1886.

A Spanish breakthrough that revolutionized childbirth

Although its use is now common in delivery rooms, epidural anesthesia did not begin to be used systematically until decades later. It was Pagés himself, during his military career, who published a study in 1921 describing how to administer anesthesia in the epidural space to block pain without compromising the patient's consciousness.

This pioneering method represented a true transformation in the field of obstetrics. However, the Spanish doctor's work remained invisible outside our borders for years, until other European specialists took up his findings. According to Dr. Casado , "A Spanish doctor invented it, and we didn't even know it."

Applications beyond the obstetric field

What's more, this technique isn't limited solely to childbirth. Epidurals have multiple medical indications: orthopedic surgeries , such as hip surgery, cesarean sections , interventions on the urinary tract , and the treatment of chronic pain are just some of the contexts where they are used.

This alternative has reduced the risks associated with other types of general anesthesia and has offered patients a faster recovery.

Historical justice for a forgotten discovery

Fidel Pagés 's story deserves greater visibility. His contribution not only represented scientific progress, but also a profound change in the way suffering is addressed. The epidural has humanized modern medicine, allowing pain control to serve a more dignified and safer experience.

Knowing that such a decisive breakthrough was the work of a Spanish professional allows us to rescue a key figure in our medical history from oblivion.