Comparison of incidence of postdural puncture headache with 25[gram] quincke babcock spinal needle versus 27[gram] quincke babcock spinal needle in caesarean section

ABSTRACT

To compare the incidence of post dural puncture headache by using Quincke Babcock spinal needles of 25 G and 27 G in obstetrical patients. This comparative study was conducted in Obstetrics Units, Nishtar Hospital, Multan during the period. of 6 months i.e. from September 2004 to March 2005. A total of 80 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups. Out of the 80 patients, 9 were complicated by headache post-operatively. The overall incidence of PDPH was 15% in group-A, 7.5% in group-B. The difference in PDPH between groups was not statistically significant. The mean duration of headache was found to be 27.77 hours. In 5 patients out of 9, the duration of headache lasted less than 24 hrs. In 3 patients duration of headache was between 24-48 hours. in only one patient, the duration of headache was more than 48 hours. All the patients who developed PDPH had mild to moderate headache. In 8 patients out of 9 patients who had PDPH in the present study, the site was occipital region. Only one patient had generalized headache. Onset of headache was 24 hours to 72 hours after dural puncture. The incidence was found to be minimum with 27 Gauge Quincke Babcock spinal needle because the smaller the needle diameter the lesser the risk of cost dural puncture headache