Post Dural Puncture Headache after Spinal Anesthesia for Caesarean Section: A Comparison of 27G Quincke and Whitacre Spinal Needles in Midline and Paramedian Approaches

Comparison of the Effect of Landmark-Based Midline and Paramedian Approaches on Spinal Anesthesia-Related Complications in Adult Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Objectives: Spinal anesthesia is widely used in various types of surgery. However, several complications can occur afterward. This study aimed to identify differences in the incidence of anesthesia-related complications according to the approach methods (midline versus paramedian) for landmark-based spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science, for eligible randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) incidence, and secondary outcomes were low back pain (LBP) incidence and success rate in the first trial of spinal anesthesia. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Results: In total, 2280 patients from 13 randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. The incidence rates of PDPH were 5.9% and 10.4% in the paramedian and midline approach groups, respectively. The pooled effect size revealed that the incidence of PDPH (OR: 0.43, 95% CI [0.22-0.83]; p = 0.01; I2 = 53%) and LBP (OR: 0.27, 95% CI [0.16-0.44]; p < 0.001; I2 = 16%) decreased, and the success rate in the first attempt was higher (OR: 2.30, 95% CI [1.36-3.87]; p = 0.002; I2 = 35%) with the paramedian than with the midline approach. Conclusions: Paramedian spinal anesthesia reduced PDPH and LBP and increased the success rate of the first attempt.

Incidence and associated factors of post dural puncture headache in cesarean section done under spinal anesthesia 2021 institutional based prospective single-armed cohort study

Background

Spinal anesthesia is the most commonly used anesthesia technique for Cesarean delivery with 80%–95% prevalence. The most common complication of SA is post-dural puncture Headache which is associated with dural puncture & Cerebrospinal fluid leak. This study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of post-dural puncture headache.

Methods

single-armed cohort study design was employed on 412 women from May 2021 to January 2022. Study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling. Descriptive statistics for each variable, binary logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression analysis with 95% CI was carried out.

Results

The overall incidence of post-dural puncture headache in this study was 25.7%. 43.9% of Post dural headache was detected in the 1st 24 h followed by 48 h. Of those who develop Post-dural headaches, 54.1% of them had mild pain, 17.3% of them was moderate pain and 28.6% of them suffered severe pain. The multivariable analysis indicated that BMI>30 kg/m² [AOR 2.85 95% CI: 1.91–4.25], number of attempts (>3), (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.19–1.91), and cephalic needle direction (AOR = 5.79 95% CI: 2.27–12.22), were factors associated with increased post-dural puncture headache. While large gauge needle size (AOR = 0.28 95% CI: 0.19–0.42), and greater than 3 years of experience of anesthetist (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31–0.62) were associated with decreased incidence of post-dural puncture headache.

Conclusion

The incidence of post-dural puncture headache was higher in BMI>30 kg/m², greater than 3-time attempts during spinal anesthesia, using low gauge spinal needles, less than 3 years of experience as anesthetist and cephalic needle direction.

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Incidence of post-dural puncture headache was 25.7% of this 43.9% of PDPH happen in the first 24 h.

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54.1% of mothers who develop PDPH had mild pain while 17.3% and 28.6% of them suffered moderate and severe pain respectively.

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Large size spinal needle, greater than 3 attempts, cephalic needle direction, BMI >30 kg/m², and experience of anesthetist less than 3 years' were factors associated with increased incidence of PDPH.

Impact of spinal needle type on postdural puncture headache among women undergoing Cesarean section surgery under spinal anesthesia: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Spinal anesthesia is the most frequently performed anesthesia for cesarean section. The American Society of Anesthesiology recommends using pencil-point spinal needles (SNs) over cutting-bevel SNs to reduce postdural puncture headache (PDPH) in their practice guidelines for obstetric anesthesia. However, there is no meta-analysis addressing the impact of the type of SNs on PDPH among women undergoing Cesarean section surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials comparing the incidence of PDPH of pencil-point SNs with cutting-bevel SNs in patients undergoing Cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL without using any language and time restrictions were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 4936 patients from 20 studies (31 comparisons) were included. Pencil-point SN leads to reduced PDPH (risk ratio [RR] 0.33, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.25 to 0.45) and reduced requirement of epidural blood patch (RR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.51) compared to cutting-bevel SN. The incidence of anesthesia failure, non-PDPH, backache, and other adverse effects was not statistically significantly difference between the two SNs. Overall quality of evidence was moderate to low.

CONCLUSIONS

Using pencil-point SN appears to be beneficial for preventing PDPH in patients undergoing Cesarean section without increasing any potential adverse effects. Further research addressing the specific gauge of pencil-point SNs, which might further reduce the incidence of PDPH is highly desired.