To Compare the Frequency and Severity of Post-dural Puncture Headache (PDPH) in Parturients given Spinal Anaesthesia with 25G Quincke with that of 25G Whitacre Needle

Objective: To compare the frequency and severity of PDPH in parturients given spinal anaesthesia with 25G Quincke with that of 25G Whitacre needle. Design: Cross sectional comparative study. Place and duration of study: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Shalamar Hospital Lahore, November 2007 to April 2008. Patients and methods: Sixty pregnant females aged 19-38 years, ASA physical status I and II with singleton pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive spinal anaesthesia either by using 25G Quincke or 25G Whitacre needles. Patients were followed for 3 days postoperatively; Headache, its relation with posture, onset, duration, severity, treatment given and its response were recorded. Results: The frequency of post-dural puncture headache was significantly higher in the Quincke (23.3%) group as compared to Whitacre (0%) group (p=0.05). Most cases were observed between 2448 hrs, had moderate headache and resolved within a week after its onset with conservative management. Conclusion: Pencil point needles are associated with a lesser frequency of post-dural puncture headache as compared to cutting needles of the same gauge.