title: The subjective complications and efficiency of the epidural blood patch in the treatment of postdural puncture headache.
abstract: The complications and efficacy of epidural blood patch were studied retrospectively by means of a questionnaire sent to 236 patients. Hospital records were also studied. One-hundred-ninety-six patients returned the questionnaire. No major complications were found. Epidural blood patch was found to be effective; 84.5% of the respondents had complete and permanent recovery from headache in less than 24 hours after a single epidural blood patch. Of those responding, 42.3% were willing to undergo spinal anesthesia in the future, when indicated, only if they could be assured of getting epidural blood patch in the event of a postdural puncture headache.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Tarkkila
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Miralles
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Palomaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001769:Blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires