Comparative study of postdural puncture headache in midline and paramedian approach of spinal anaesthesia at a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a known complication of spinal anaesthesia. It is an iatrogenic cause,results after either intentional or accidental dural puncture.It begins typically within 2 days but regresses spontaneously in a few days. Present comparative study was conducted in patients who underwent elective lower abdominal surgery under spinal anaesthesia by midline or paramedian approach to evaluate incidence of postdural puncture headache at our tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: This prospective and comparative study was conducted 120 patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under spinal anaesthesia were considered for present study. Patients were randomly divided in double‑blind fashion (patient and observer were blind to procedure) into two groups of 60 each. Numeric visual analog pain score was used to assess the postdural puncture headache in both the groups. Any case of persistent postdural puncture backache after discharge was followed up to 7 days through telephonic communication with the patient. The data collected was analysed statistically. Quantitative variables were expressed as Mean ± SD (standard deviation) while qualitative variables were expressed as relative frequency and percentage. The PDPH was analysed using Chi square test. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results:120 patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided in double‑blind fashion (patient and observer were blind to procedure) into two groups as Group M (median approach) and Group P (paramedian approach) of 60 patients each. General characteristics such as age, weight, gender and ASA status were comparable in both groups. Intra-operative hypotension was noted in 10% patients of group M and 8% patients of group P, difference was not statistically significant. 3 % patients of group M and group P required medications (tramadol / paracetamol) to treat PDPH.In present study postdural puncture headache was mild in 8 % and moderate in 3% patients in group M. While 7% patients had mild and 3% patients had moderate postdural puncture headache in group P. Incidence of postdural puncture headache was 10% in group M and 8% in group P, difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no difference regarding the incidence of PDPH in median and paramedian approach for spinal anaesthesia.