title: Spinal anaesthesia for urological surgery. A survey of failure rate, postdural puncture headache and patient satisfaction.
abstract: A survey was conducted on 100 consecutive patients who underwent spinal anaesthesia in our urology operating theatres. Details of the spinal technique were recorded in the operating theatre. In 25% of patients, more than one attempt at subarachnoid puncture was required and 16% of this group went on to require general anaesthesia. The patients were visited between 24 and 48 h postoperatively by one of the authors. On questioning, 24% of patients reported a headache, which had the characteristics associated with dural puncture; 62% of these headaches were described as moderate or severe and lasted between 12 and 24 h. Patients were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to develop a postdural puncture headache if more than one attempt at subarachnoid puncture was made.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Langham
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014572:Urology