Post-dural puncture related complications after diagnostic lumbar puncture, myelography and spinal anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to investigate complications after dural puncture.


METHODS
A 15 months' prospective observation study of routine clinical practice with dural puncture at a university hospital was conducted. Quincke spinal needles 0.90 to 1.0 mm O.D. (20-19 g) were used for diagnostic lumbar puncture, 0.70 mm O.D. (22 g) for myelography and 0.40 to 0.50 mm O.D. (27-25 g) for spinal anaesthesia. A questionnaire about post-puncture discomfort was given to the patients, to be returned after 1 week.


RESULTS
Of 679 questionnaires 537 (79.1%) were returned. Discomfort was experienced by 53.8% of the patients, most often after diagnostic lumbar puncture and myelography. The difference in incidence of headache after diagnostic lumbar puncture and myelography compared with spinal anaesthesia were 27.9% (95% CI: 18.6 to 37.2) and 18.3% (95% CI: 9.1 to 27.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Small diameter and atraumatic spinal needles will reduce patients' discomfort after dural puncture.
Flaatten
H
H
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Kråkenes
J
J
Vedeler
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*