title: Postdural puncture headache. A comparison between 26- and 29-gauge needles in young patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Central Hospital, Førde, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Flaatten
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rodt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vamnes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosland
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wisborg
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Koller
mesh_terms: 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*