Incidence of Post Dural Puncture Headache in Our Set Up with Quincke Spinal Needle: An Observational Crossectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is an iatrogenic complication associated with spinal
anaesthesia. The occurrence of PDPH is determined by different factors. They are sex, age, pregnancy, past
PDPH history, needle tip shape and needle size, bevel orientation, number of attempts, and approach used
for lumbar puncture. We conducted the present study to find the incidence of PDPH.
Material and Method: After ethics committee approval, we observed 500 patients who had undergone
surgery for lower abdomen and lower limb. Patients were randomly divided in Group A and Group B 250
patients in each group and received spinal anaesthesia via 23 and 25 quincke spinal needle respectively.
They were followed post operatively regularly for development of any signs and symptoms of post dual
puncture headache, which was end point of study.
Results: Out of 500 patients 6 patient developed PDPH. The incidence was 1.2%. There was no statistically
significance with sex, number of attempts and guage of spinal needle.
Conclusion: In our series the incidence was 1.2% which is far less than other studies. Taking into
consideration cost effectiveness & success rate we feel that in our setup we can continue with use of 23 &
25-gauge quincke needle.