Postdural puncture headache. A comparison between 26- and 29-gauge needles in young patients.
The incidence of postdural puncture headache after spinal anaesthesia with two types of 26- and 29-gauge needles was investigated in 149 patients less than 30 years old. Ten patients, (6.7%), six men and four women, developed typical symptoms of postdural puncture headache, while six (4.0%) developed headache of other origin. There were no headaches in the 29-gauge group. Spinal anaesthesia in four patients (8%) was impossible to perform with the 29-gauge needle. By using the latter, spinal anaesthesia can be given to young adults with little risk of postdural puncture headache.
Flaatten
H
H
Department of Anaesthesiology, Central Hospital, Førde, Norway.
Rodt
S A
SA
Vamnes
J
J
Rosland
J
J
Wisborg
T
T
Koller
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*