Morbidity from subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia--a prospective study on the post-operative morbidity from subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia.

A clinical survey was conducted on 274 patients who had surgery under subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia. The anaesthetic was performed with either a 23 gauge or 25 gauge needle. All patients were interviewed on the second and sixth post-operative days. Data on morbidity (especially post-dural puncture headache and backache) was collated and analysed with respect to needle gauge. Backache was the most common complaint (20.5%). Using the finer needle did not reduce this aspect of morbidity. Post-dural puncture headache on the other hand was significantly reduced by the use of the finer 25 gauge needle (from 12.3% to 4.9%).