Postspinal headache: use of epidural blood patch.

Epidural blood patch should be considered the treatment of choice for postoperative headache if oral fluids and bed rest provide no relief. There should be no hesitation in performing this procedure, provided there are no contraindications. The two important contraindications are (1) evidence of inflammation or infection on the back when the puncture is to be made and (2) septicemia. A representative case is presented.