Does Preoperative Coffee Consumption Prevent Intraoperative Hypotension in Cesarean Section Surgeries?

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we evaluated the effects of a cup of coffee given to patients before surgery in a cesarean section by means of intraoperative hypotension, ephedrine requirement, and the incidence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH).

METHODS

A total of 140 patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were included in this study. Participants who drank a single cup of filtered coffee two hours before spinal anesthesia were included in the coffee group, and those who drank water were in the control group. In each group, 70 patients were included. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded every three to five minutes after spinal anesthesia. Intraoperative use of ephedrine was recorded. The PDPH was monitored for three days.

RESULTS

The incidence of intraoperative hypotension was 48.6% in the coffee group and 71.4% in the control group (p = 0.006). The rate of ephedrine usage (25.7%) was significantly lower in the coffee group (p = 0.001). The incidence of PDPH in the first 24 hours (2.9%) was significantly lower in the coffee group (11.4%). The visual analog scale (VAS) score was similar between groups (p = 0.048, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of a single cup of coffee before spinal anesthesia reduced the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and the rate of ephedrine usage in cesarean sections.

Risk factors for post-dural puncture headache

INTRODUCTION

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most common complication following lumbar puncture. However, its incidence varies according to the series consulted. Different factors associated with its onset have been identified.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of PDPH and to identify predisposing factors for its appearance.

METHOD

Prospective, descriptive study in 57 patients who underwent lumbar puncture procedures. To this end, variables associated with patient-related risk factors, clinical and procedural factors with the presence of PDPH were analysed. The incidence of PDPH was 38.6% and factors associated with onset included young age and previous history of headache.

RESULTS

The incidence of PDPH was higher in women and presented greater intensity in this group, though studies with a larger sample size would need to be conducted.

CONCLUSIONS

We must bear in mind the factors associated with the appearance of PDPH, which include: young age, history of headache, and the perception of procedural difficulty, to better inform patients and optimise the techniques used.

Pediatric Intracranial Hypotension and Post-Dural Puncture Headache

Pediatric intracranial hypotension can occur acutely following iatrogenic dural puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, or chronically from cerebrospinal fluid leak. The incidence of intracranial hypotension in children is not fully known. However, many steps can be taken to reduce the risk of a child developing a post-dural puncture headache. Other causes of intracranial hypotension, such as spontaneous intracranial hypotension or CSF fistulas, are rare and with little pediatric data to guide evaluation and management. This manuscript reviews the risk factors, diagnostic evaluations, and treatments for post-dural puncture headache, as well as a limited discussion of spontaneous intracranial hypotension as it may pertain to children and adolescents.

[Post-dural puncture headache]

Post-dural puncture headache belongs to the group of secondary headache disorders and is a typical complication of intended or unintended dural puncture. The main symptom is orthostatic headache, which can be accompanied by neurological symptoms such as diplopia depending on the extent of the cerebrospinal fluid leak. The course of this headache is predominantly benign, showing spontaneous improvement over a couple of days, although severe cases are described in the literature. The following article provides an overview of the current knowledge about the headache's pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up and therapy.

Don't Forget Rare Causes of Postpartum Headache! Cases Report and Literature Review

Headache is a common finding in the postpartum period, caused by a spectrum of different conditions. Most headaches in the postpartum period are self-limiting and benign in etiology, but there are some potentially serious causes to be considered. We disclose two cases of postpartum headache, initially considered as post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), that evolved into a harmful condition and showed that an expanded differential diagnosis for headache in the postpartum is mandatory, requiring a high level of attention from health professionals. In fact, a careful examination of the medical history, physical examination, and the recognition for the need for early neuroradiological imaging should increase diagnostic accuracy.

[Post-dural puncture headache]

Post-dural puncture headache belongs to the group of secondary headache disorders and is a typical complication of intended or unintended dural puncture. The main symptom is orthostatic headache, which can be accompanied by neurological symptoms such as diplopia depending on the extent of the cerebrospinal fluid leak. The course of this headache is predominantly benign, showing spontaneous improvement over a couple of days, although severe cases are described in the literature. The following article provides an overview of the current knowledge about the headache's pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up and therapy.

Cerebral venous thrombosis as a complication of intracranial hypotension after lumbar puncture

Background

Optic neuritis is recognised by the international classification of headache disorders as a painful cranial nerve lesion. A lumbar puncture may be performed in the investigation of optic neuritis. Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) due to intracranial hypotension is a frequent complication of this procedure. In contrast, cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of dural puncture. A few studies have identified an association between iron deficiency anaemia and venous thrombosis. There are no reports linking CVT with lumbar puncture and iron deficiency anaemia.

Methods and results

We present a 32-year-old woman with optic neuritis and iron deficiency anaemia complicated by a PDPH and CVT.

Conclusion

CVT should be considered in a patient with persistent headache, recent lumbar puncture and iron deficiency anaemia. Early recognition and treatment of this condition are vital to avoiding mortality and morbidity.

[Postdural puncture headache after neuraxial anesthesia: incidence and risk factors]

Hintergrund/Ziel der Arbeit

Der postpunktionelle Kopfschmerz (PKS) ist eine Komplikation nach rückenmarknahen Verfahren (RA) mit erheblichem Krankheitswert. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Inzidenz des PKS in 2 großen operativen Kollektiven zu untersuchen, mögliche Risikofaktoren zu identifizieren und den Einfluss auf die Krankenhausverweildauer zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden

In einer retrospektiven Analyse des Zeitraums 2010–2012 wurden 341 unfallchirurgische (UCH) und 2113 geburtsmedizinische (GEB) Patient*innen nach Spinalanästhesie (SPA) analysiert. In der statistischen Auswertung (SPSS-23) kamen univariate Analysen mittels Mann-Whitney-U-, Chi²- und Student’s t‑Test sowie logistische Regressionsanalysen zur Anwendung.

Ergebnisse

Die Inzidenz des PKS betrug in der UCH-Gruppe 5,9 % und in der GEB-Gruppe 1,8 %. Patient*innen mit PKS in der UCH wiesen ein jüngeres Patientenalter (38 vs. 47 Jahre, p = 0,011), einen geringeren BMI (23,5 vs. 25,2, p = 0,037) sowie ein niedrigeres Köpergewicht (70,5 kg vs. 77 kg, p = 0,006) als Patient*innen ohne PKS auf. Dabei konnten das Alter mit einer „odds ratio“ (OR 97,5 % Konfidenzintervall [KI]) von 0,963 (97,5% KI 0,932–0,991, p = 0,015) und das Köpergewicht mit einer OR von 0,956 (97,5 % KI 0,920–0,989, p = 0,014) als unabhängige Risikofaktoren für die Entstehung eines PKS identifiziert werden. In der GEB wies die SPA eine höhere Inzidenz des PKS auf als die kombinierte Spinalepiduralanästhesie (CSE) (8,6 % vs. 1,2 %, p < 0,001). Dabei erwies sich das Verfahren mit einer OR von 0,049 (97,5 % KI 0,023–0,106, p < 0,001) als unabhängiger Risikofaktor für die Entstehung eines PKS. In beiden Gruppen war der PKS mit einem verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalt assoziiert (UCH-Gruppe 4 vs. 2 Tage, p = 0,001; GEB-Gruppe 6 vs. 4 Tage, p < 0.0005).

Diskussion

Die Inzidenz des PKS nach SPA/CSE war in unserer Untersuchung in den beschriebenen Patientengruppen unterschiedlich, mit einem deutlich höheren Anteil in der UCH-Gruppe. Alter, Konstitution und Verfahren waren hinweisgebende Risikofaktoren eines PKS. In Anbetracht der funktionellen Einschränkungen (Mobilisation, Versorgung des Neugeborenen) und des verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalts, sollten zukünftige Studien eine frühe Behandlung des PKS untersuchen.