title: Morbidity from subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia--a prospective study on the post-operative morbidity from subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia.
abstract: A clinical survey was conducted on 274 patients who had surgery under subarachnoid spinal anaesthesia. The anaesthetic was performed with either a 23 gauge or 25 gauge needle. All patients were interviewed on the second and sixth post-operative days. Data on morbidity (especially post-dural puncture headache and backache) was collated and analysed with respect to needle gauge. Backache was the most common complaint (20.5%). Using the finer needle did not reduce this aspect of morbidity. Post-dural puncture headache on the other hand was significantly reduced by the use of the finer 25 gauge needle (from 12.3% to 4.9%).
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Loke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013346:Subarachnoid Space