Incidence of postdural puncture headache following spinal anaesthesia for lower segment caesarean section with the 25 gauge polymedic spinal needle.

The incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) was studied in in-patients after spinal anaesthesia with 25 gauge Polymedic needle (Sprotte-like), for lower segment caesarean section (LSCS). A total of 281 women who underwent LSCS were studied, at the maternity unit of St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey, U.K. Of these, 125 women had a spinal, 93 general and 63 epidural anaesthesia. All the women were questioned about the presence of headache between the second and fourth post-operative day. Its severity was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Women who had an epidural or a general anaesthesia were used as controls. Out of 281 women studied, none complained of PDPH. Four women in the spinal anaesthetic group, complained of headache which did not have the characteristics of PDPH. The 25 gauge Polymedic spinal needle appears to be safe and satisfactory for performing spinal anaesthesia for LSCS.