Epidural hydroxyethyl starch ameliorating postdural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#No convincing modalities have been shown to completely prevent postdural puncture headache (PDPH) after accidental dural puncture (ADP) during obstetric epidural procedures. We aimed to evaluate the role of epidural administration of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in preventing PDPH following ADP, regarding the prophylactic efficacy and side effects.@*METHODS@#Between January 2019 and February 2021, patients with a recognized ADP during epidural procedures for labor or cesarean delivery were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the prophylactic strategies for the development of PDPH at a single tertiary hospital. The development of PDPH, severity and duration of headache, adverse events associated with prophylactic strategies, and hospital length of stay postpartum were reported.@*RESULTS@#A total of 105 patients experiencing ADP received a re-sited epidural catheter. For PDPH prophylaxis, 46 patients solely received epidural analgesia, 25 patients were administered epidural HES on epidural analgesia, and 34 patients received two doses of epidural HES on and after epidural analgesia, respectively. A significant difference was observed in the incidence of PDPH across the groups (epidural analgesia alone, 31 [67.4%]; HES-Epidural analgesia, ten [40.0%]; HES-Epidural analgesia-HES, five [14.7%]; P <0.001). No neurologic deficits, including paresthesias and motor deficits related to prophylactic strategies, were reported from at least 2 months to up to more than 2 years after delivery. An overall backache rate related to HES administration was 10%. The multivariable regression analysis revealed that the HES-Epidural analgesia-HES strategy was significantly associated with reduced risk of PDPH following ADP (OR = 0.030, 95% confidence interval: 0.006-0.143; P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The incorporated prophylactic strategy was associated with a great decrease in the risk of PDPH following obstetric ADP. This strategy consisted of re-siting an epidural catheter with continuous epidural analgesia and two doses of epidural HES, respectively, on and after epidural analgesia. The efficacy and safety profiles of this strategy have to be investigated further.

Deambulación precoz e incidencia de cefalea pospunción dural en paciente obstétrica propuesta para cesárea electiva / Early ambulation and incidence of postdural puncture headache in an obstetric patient proposed for elective cesarean section

Introducción: La cefalea pospunción dural es la complicación más habitual tras la anestesia neuroaxial, y es especialmente frecuente en obstetricia, un hallazgo común en el período posparto. Suele ser una complicación benigna y autolimitada, pero sin tratamiento puede conducir a otras complicaciones más graves. Objetivo: Describir la incidencia de cefalea pospunción dural en las pacientes obstétricas programadas para cesárea electiva con anestesia espinal y su relación con la deambulación precoz. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo en una serie de casos (50), todas las pacientes propuestas para cesárea electiva bajo el método anestésico espinal subaracnoideo con trocar calibre 25 en el período comprendido entre mayo a diciembre del 2018. Resultados: De un total de 50 pacientes estudiadas con edades entre 18 y 35 años de edad, al 96 por ciento se le realizó punción única de la duramadre, en todas se utilizó trócar 25, atraumático y ninguna presentó cefalea pospunción dural. Conclusiones: Se concluye que la incidencia de cefalea pospunción dural puede disminuir cuando se utilizan agujas espinales atraumáticas, de pequeño calibre; lo cual facilita también la deambulación temprana de la paciente(AU)

Introduction: Postdural puncture headache is the most common complication following neuraxial anesthesia, and is especially common in obstetrics, a common finding in the postpartum period. It is usually a benign and self-limited complication, but if not treated, it can lead to further serious complications. Objective: To describe the incidence of postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients scheduled for elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia and its relationship with early ambulation. Methods: A descriptive observational study was carried out in a case series (50) of patients proposed for elective cesarean section under the subarachnoid spinal anesthesia method with 25-gauge trocar in the period from May to December 2018. Results: Out of a total of 50 patients aged 18-35 years who participated in the study, 96 percent underwent single dura mater puncture. In all cases, a 25-gauge trocar was used and none presented postdural puncture headache. Conclusions: The incidence of postdural puncture headache may be concluded to decrease when atraumatic spinal needles of small caliber are used, which also facilitates early ambulation of the patient(AU)

Cefalea postpunción dural con aguja espinal de bisel cortante aguja espinal de punta cónica: revisión sistemática / Postdural puncture headache with cutting spinal needle pencil point spinal needle: systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Postdural puncture headache is one of the most frequent complications that occurs after the puncture of the dura mater, resulting in the spinal fluid leakage, through the same and subsequent traction of brain structures. OBJECTIVE: To compare cutting spinal needle and pencil point spinal needle in the incidence of postural dural puncture headache. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search of scientific articles published since 2006 was carried out in the Pubmed, Science Direct, Clinical Key and EBSCO databases, which evaluates the incidence of postdural puncture headache in spinal needles with conical tip and cutting bevel, additionally, experts will be consulted in the area that should suggest literature related to this topic, which would not have been included in the search methods previously described. RESULTS: In total, 14 studies were selected in the population that suffered puncture of the dura mater after accidental, therapeutic or diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) and the presentation of postdural puncture headache was measured according to the ICHD-3 beta criteria. It was found that there is a decrease in the incidence of postdural puncture headache with conical tip spinal needles, compared to spinal needles of cutting bevel. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence indicates that postdural puncture headache occurs less frequently, with low intensity and short duration in patients operated with a conical spinal needle, compared to the cutting bevel. In addition, according to the recently described pathophysiology, it is contradictory that conical spinal needles are called "atraumatic", so this review proposes a change in nomenclature that is most useful for the clinical anesthesiologist.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cefalea postpunción dural es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes que se presenta posterior a la punción de la duramadre, lo cual produce salida de líquido cefalorraquídeo, a través de la misma y posterior tracción de las estructuras cerebrales. OBJETIVO: Comparar la aguja espinal de bisel cortante y la aguja espinal de punta cónica en la incidencia de presentación de cefalea postpunción dural. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de artículos científicos publicados desde el año 2006, en las bases de datos Pubmed, Science Direct, Clinical Key y EBSCO, que evaluaran la incidencia de cefalea postpunción dural en agujas espinales de punta cónica y bisel cortante, adicionalmente se consultó con expertos en el área que pudieran sugerir literatura relacionada con este tema, la cual no hubiese sido incluida en los métodos de búsqueda previamente descritos. RESULTADOS: En total se seleccionaron 14 estudios realizados en población que sufrieron punción de la duramadre luego de punción lumbar (PL) accidental, terapéutica o diagnóstica y se midió la presentación de cefalea postpunción dural según los criterios ICHD-3 beta. Se encontró que hay una disminución de la incidencia de cefalea postpunción dural con las agujas espinales de punta cónica, en comparación con las agujas espinales de bisel cortante. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia actual indica que la cefalea postpunción dural se presenta con menor frecuencia, baja intensidad y corta duración en pacientes intervenidos con aguja espinal de punta cónica, en comparación con la aguja espinal de bisel cortante. Adicionalmente, según la fisiopatologia recientemente descrita, es contradictorio que las agujas espinales de punta cónica sean llamada "atraumáticas", por lo que esta revisión propone un cambio en la nomenclatura que resulta de mayor utilidad para el anestesiólogo clínico.

Cefalea post punción dural en embarazadas sometidas a cesárea con anestesia raquidea ¿problema actual o pasado? / Cefalea post dural puncture in pregnant submissions to caesárea with raquidea anesthesia problem current or past?

Objetivos: Conocer la incidencia de cefaleas postpunción dural (CPPD) en raquianestesia para cesárea y factores de riesgo reconocidos. Efectividad del tratamiento médico y necesidad de parche hemático peridural. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, con seguimiento postoperatorio por 72 horas de 914 embarazadas que recibieron raquianestesia para cesárea en el Hospital de la Mujer durante 1 año. Datos registrados por anestesiólogo actuante, seguimiento por un residente. Al diagnosticar una CPPD, se instaló tratamiento según protocolo. Resultados: la incidencia de CPPD fue 2,6 casos/ 100 pacientes, 24 en la población estudiada. 66.7%, aparecieron a las 24 horas; 16,7% a las 48 horas. 54,2% mejoraron a las 24 horas, ninguna requirió parche hemático. 86,3% de las punciones fueron con agujan 25 punta de lápiz, 11,2% con 27 punta de lápiz 23 casos de CPPD para la primera y 1 caso para la segunda, no encontrando asociación estadística (p= 0,759). 76,6% fueron punción única, 15,2% 2 punciones, 7% más de 2. 80,7 % cesáreas urgencia, 65,2% en horario diurno. 42% realizadas por anestesiólogos, 54% por residentes. 8,6% tenían antecedente de cefalea y 2,7% antecedente de CPPD; encontrándose asociación estadística entre la primera y CPPD actual (p=0,001) y entre la segunda y la presencia de CPPD (p=0,004). Conclusiones: obtuvimos una incidencia de CPPD de 2,6%, concordante con datos de la literatura; la mayoría apareció a las 24 horas y todas mejoraron con tratamiento médico. Las pacientes con cefalea y CPPD previa presentaron un RR 5,8 y 5,4 respectivamente (IC 95%), no encontrando asociación con otros factores de riesgo.

Objectives: To know the incidence of post-dural puncture headaches (CPPD) in spinal anesthesia for caesarean section and recognized risk factors. Effectiveness of medical treatment and need for an epidural blood patch Methodology: Prospective, descriptive, postoperative follow-up for 72 hours of 914 pregnant women who received spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, Women 's Hospital during one year study. Data recorded by acting anesthesiologist monitoring by a resident. CPPD to diagnose, treatment was installed according to protocol. Results: CPPD incidence was 2.6 cases / 100 patients, 24 in the study population. 66.7% appeared at 24 hours; 16.7% at 48 hours. 54.2% improved within 24 hours, none required blood patch. 86.3% of punctures were 25G tip pen, 11.2% with 27G tip pen, 23 cases of CPPD for the first and 1 case for the second, finding no statistical association (p = 0.759). 76.6% were single puncture, 15.2% two punctures, 7% more than two. 80.7% cesarean urgency, 65.2% in daytime. 42% made by anesthesiologists, 54% by residents. 8.6% had a history of headache and 2.7% history of CPPD; statistical association was found between the first and current CPPD (p = 0.001) and between the second and the presence of CPPD (p = 0.004). Conclusions: We obtained a CPPD incidence of 2.6%, consistent with data from the literature; Most appeared within 24 hours and all improved with medical treatment. Patients with headache and previous PDCH presented RR 5.8 and 5.4 respectively (95% CI), and found no association with other risk factors.

Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents / Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p < 0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Esclarecer a importância do ano de residência e outros fatores que influenciam o sucesso do cateterismo epidural torácico (CET) em pacientes submetidos à toracotomia. MÉTODOS: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, os dados foram retrospectivamente analisados a partir dos prontuários de 415 pacientes. Todos os pacientes assinaram os termos de consentimento informado. As tentativas de CET foram divididas em dois grupos: segundo-terceiro ano (Grupo I) e quarto ano (Grupo II), de acordo com o ano de residência. Dados demográficos, características das tentativas de CET e todas as dificuldades e complicações durante o CET foram registrados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS: A taxa de sucesso global de CET foi semelhante entre os grupos. Os níveis de colocação do cateter, o número e a duração das tentativas não foram diferentes entre os grupos (p > 0,05). A alteração do nível de inserção da agulha foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo II (p = 0,008), enquanto que a parestesia foi significativamente maior no Grupo I (p = 0,007). As taxas de cefaleia durante e após punção dural foram maiores no Grupo I. Um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior e o nível do local de inserção foram fatores significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório, mas independentes da experiência dos residentes (p < 0,001, 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: O IMC e o nível do local de inserção foram significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório. Pensamos que o ano de residência não é um fator significativo em termos de taxa de sucesso global para o CET, mas é importante para o resultado desses procedimentos.

Comportamiento de la cefalea post punción dural / The cefalea behaviour in dural post punction

Introducción: los síntomas subjetivos de la cefalea post punción lumbar se relacionan con los elementos neurales estimulados. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de la cefalea post punción dural en pacientes tratados con bloqueo espinal en los hospitales Lucía Íñiguez y Vladimir I Lenin. Métodos: estudio descriptivo y transversal en 80 pacientes de 16 a 60 años, tratados en cirugía con anestesia espinal en el servicio de anestesiología de los hospitales Lucia Iñiguez y Vladimir I Lenin entre noviembre de 2012 y abril de 2013, según estado físico: pacientes sanos y pacientes con enfermedades sistémicas compensadas. Se aplicó el método de chi cuadrado. Resultados: entre las edades de 16 ­ 30 años, predomina el grupo ASA I en la aparición de cefalea post punción dural con el 15 por ciento, la cefalea post punción dural apareció en el 10,0 por ciento de los pacientes donde se utilizó aguja número 22G, el 16,3 por ciento presentó cefalea post punción dural al movilizarse fuera de cama, en el 8,8 por ciento apareció la cefalea post punición dural en las primeras 24h de los pacientes estudiados y en el 7,5 por ciento, después de las 24h. Conclusiones: predominó el grupo de 16 a 30 años y género femenino. Según el estado físico, se presentó la cefalea con mayor frecuencia en pacientes sanos. La movilización temprana del paciente contribuye a disminuir la frecuencia de aparición de la cefalea(AU)

Introduction: The subjective symptoms of the headache post lumbar puncion are related with the elements stimulated neurals area. Objective: To determine the headache appearance post puncion dural in subjected patients to spinal blockade. Methods: A descriptive of prospective traverse court in 80 patients in the ages understood among 16 y 60 subjected to surgery with spinal anesthesia in the service of anesthesiology of the hospital Lucia Iñiguez Landin and Vladimir I Lenin between nobember 2012 and april 2013, king into account phisical state ASAI and ASAII. Results: Between 16-30 years old, predominantly ASA I group in the occurrence of post dural puncture headache with 15 percent post-dural puncture headache appeared in 10.0 percent of patients where number 22G needle was used, the 16.3 percent had post-dural puncture headache to move out of bed and post dural punishment appearing in the first 24 hours in 8.8 percent of the patients and headache in 7.5 percent appeared after 24h. Conclusions: The prevailed age group between 16 and 30 years and female gender. It is better to use spinal needle of the fine caliber in young patients and to consider that the early mobilization of the patient contributes to diminish the frequency of the appearance of the cefalea(AU)

A reinserção do estilete não afeta a incidência de cefaleia pós-punção dural (CPPD) após raquianestesia / Reinsertion of the stylet does not affect incidence of post dural puncture headaches (PDPH) after spinal anesthesia / La reinserción del estilete no afecta la incidencia de cefalea pos punción dural (CPPD) posteriormente a la raquianestesia

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Este estudo foi conduzido para investigar os efeitos da reinserção do estilete em cefaleia pós-punção dural (CPPD) após raquianestesia. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados para este estudo 630 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia eletiva com raquianestesia. Os pacientes foram randomicamente designados para dois grupos: Grupo A (reinserção do estilete antes da retirada da agulha) e Grupo B (retirada da agulha sem reinserção do estilete). Os pacientes foram observados durante 24 horas no hospital e avaliados quanto à CPPD no terceiro e sétimo dias do estudo. RESULTADOS: No geral, a incidência da CPPD foi de 10,8% (68 pacientes). Trinta e três desses pacientes (10,5%) que estavam no Grupo A e 35 (11,1%) no grupo B tiveram CPPD. Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos em relação à CPPD. CONCLUSÕES: Ao contrário da punção lombar diagnóstica, a reinserção do estilete após raquianestesia com agulhas tipo Quincke de calibre 25 não reduz a incidência de CPPD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of reinsertion of the stylet after a spinal anesthesia procedure on the Post Dural Puncture Headache (PDPH). METHODS: We have enrolled into this study 630 patients who were undergoing elective operations with spinal anesthesia and randomized them to Group A (stylet replacement before needle removal) and Group B (needle removal without stylet replacement). These patients were observed for the duration of 24 hours in the hospital and they were checked for PDPH on the 3rd and the 7th day of the study. RESULTS: Overall, the PDPH incidence was at 10.8% (68 patients). Thirty-three of these patients (10.5%) who were in Group A (stylet replacement before needle removal) and the other 35 patients (11.1%) who were in Group B (needle removal without stylet replacement) experienced PDPH. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the PDPH. CONCLUSIONS: In contrary to the diagnostic lumbar puncture, reinsertion of the stylet after spinal anesthesia with 25-gauge Quincke needles does not reduce the incidence of PDPH.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Este estudio fue hecho para investigar los efectos de la reinserción del estilete en la cefalea pos punción dural (CPPD) después de la raquianestesia. MÉTODOS: Un total de 639 pacientes sometidos a la cirugía electiva con raquianestesia se seleccionaron para este estudio. Los pacientes fueron aleatoriamente designados para dos grupos: Grupo A (reinserción del estilete antes de la retirada de la aguja) y Grupo B (retirada de la aguja sin la reinserción del estilete). Los pacientes fueron observados durante 24 horas en el hospital y evaluados CPPD en el tercero y en el séptimo día del estudio. RESULTADOS: En general, la incidencia de CPPD fue de un 10,8% (68 pacientes). Treinta y tres de ellos (10,5%) que estaban en el Grupo A (reinserción del estilete antes de la retirada de la aguja) y 35 (11,1%) en el grupo B (retirada de la aguja sin la reinserción del estilete) tuvieron CPPD. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los dos grupos con relación a la CPPD. CONCLUSIONES: Al contrario de la punción lumbar diagnóstica, la reinserción del estilete posterior a la raquianestesia con agujas tipo Quincke de calibre 25 no reduce la incidencia de CPPD.

Continuous spinal anesthesia versus combined spinal epidural block for major orthopedic surgery: prospective randomized study / Raquianestesia continua versus bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural para cirurgias ortopédicas de grande porte: estudo prospectivo e aleatório

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: In major orthopedic surgery of the lower limbs, continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) and combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSE) are safe and reliable anesthesia methods. In this prospective randomized clinical study, the blockading properties and side effects of CSA were compared with single interspace CSE, among patients scheduled for major hip or knee surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective clinical study conducted at the Institute for Regional Anesthesia, Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto. METHODS: 240 patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty or femoral fracture treatment were randomly assigned to receive either CSA or CSE. Blockades were performed in the lateral position at the L3-L4 interspace. Puncture success, technical difficulties, paresthesia, highest level of sensory and motor blockade, need for complementary doses of local anesthetic, degree of technical difficulties, cardiocirculatory changes and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) were recorded. At the end of the surgery, the catheter was removed and cerebrospinal fluid leakage was evaluated. RESULTS: Seven patients were excluded (three CSA and four CSE). There was significantly lower incidence of paresthesia in the CSE group. The resultant sensory blockade level was significantly higher with CSE. Complete motor blockade occurred in 110 CSA patients and in 109 CSE patients. Arterial hypotension was observed significantly more often in the CSE group. PDPH was observed in two patients of each group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both CSA and CSE provided good surgical conditions with low incidence of complications. The sensory blockade level and hemodynamic changes were lower with CSA.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVOS: Em cirurgias ortopédicas de grande porte, a raquianestesia contínua e o bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural são métodos seguros e confiáveis. Neste estudo prospectivo foram comparadas as propriedades e efeitos colaterais da raquianestesia contínua com o bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural de punção única em pacientes programados para cirurgia ortopédica de quadril, joelho e fraturas de fêmur. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo, conduzido no Instituto de Anestesia Regional do Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. MÉTODOS: 240 pacientes com cirurgias de quadril, artroplastia de joelho ou correção de fratura de fêmur programadas foram aleatoriamente arrolados para receberem raquianestesia contínua ou bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural (CSE). Os bloqueios foram realizados com o paciente na posição lateral no interespaço L3-L4. O sucesso das punções, dificuldades técnicas, parestesia, nível do bloqueio sensitivo e bloqueio motor, necessidade de doses complementares de anestésico local, grau de dificuldade técnica, alteração cardiociruculatória e cefaléia pós-punção foram registradas. Ao final da cirurgia, o cateter foi retirado e foi avaliado se havia refluxo de líquor. RESULTADOS: Sete pacientes foram excluídos (3 CSA e 4 CSE). Houve uma menor incidência significativa de parestesia no grupo CSA. O nível do bloqueio sensitivo foi significantemente mais alto no grupo CSE. Bloqueio motor completo ocorreu em 110 pacientes do grupo CSA e em 109 do grupo CSE. Hipotensão arterial foi observada significantemente mais freqüente no grupo CSE. Cefaléia pós-punção da dura-máter ocorreu em dois pacientes de cada grupo. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que ambas as técnicas provêm boa anestesia cirúrgica com baixa incidência de complicação. O nível do bloqueio sensitivo e as alterações hemodinâmicas foram menores com a raquianestesia contínua (CSA).

Comparison of prevalence of post-dural puncture headache between six hour- supine recumbence and early ambulation after lumbar puncture in thai patients: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of Post Dural Puncture Headache (PDPH) between 6 hour- supine recumbence and early ambulation in Thai patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was a prospective controlled study and enrolled the patients who underwent Lumbar Puncture (LP) from Phramongkutklao Hospital, Thailand. The background characteristics were recorded Standard LP method was done. The patients were randomized to 6 hour-supine recumbence and < or = 1 hour- (early ambulation) groups. Prevalence and characteristics of PDPH were compared. RESULTS: Of 65 patients, there were 33 patients (50.8%) in the 6 hour-recumbent group and 32 patients (49.2%) in the early ambulation group. The background characteristics and CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF) findings were not different between the groups. Prevalence of PDPH was 16.9% (overall), 18.2% (6 hours) and 15.6% (early ambulation). There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence, pattern and severity of PDPH between the groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and characteristics of PDPH were not different between the 6 hour- recumbence and early ambulation groups.