A retrospective evaluation of the effect of patient position on postdural puncture headache: is sitting position worse?

  • İbrahim Öztürk Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, (Turkey)
  • İsmail Sirit Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Maternity and Children Hospital, Siirt, (Turkey)
  • Dilek Yazicioğlu Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, (Turkey)
Keywords: Patient Positioning, Post-Dural Puncture Headache, Anesthesia, Spinal

Abstract

Background: Postdural puncture headache is an unpleasant complication of spinal anesthesia. We
aimed to investigate the association between the position in which spinal anesthesia was performed and
occurrence of postdural puncture headache.
Methodology: Records of patients who underwent cesarean section between January 2013 and November
2013 with spinal anesthesia were examined retrospectively. Patients older than 18 were included in
the study. Convertion to general anesthesia was the exclusion criteria. Demographic data of patients
(age, weight, height and physical status), comorbid diseases, position of patient while performing spinal
anesthesia, the number of spinal puncture attempts and the incidence of postdural puncture headache
were recorded.
Results: A total of 149 records of patients, who met the inclusion criteria, were analysed (sitting position
n=72 and lateral position n=77). Postdural puncture headache developed in 11 (15.2%) in the sitting
position and 10 (12.9%) in the lateral position (p>0.05). There was no difference between groups in
terms of age, weight, height, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, comorbid
diseases, attemp numbers and frequency of postdural puncture headache (p>0.05).
Conclusion: We conclude that the patient position during spinal anesthesia performance does not affect
postdural puncture headache incidence. Therefore, one of them may be preferred according to the
experience of anesthesist.

Published
01-26-2019
How to Cite
Öztürk, İbrahim, Sirit, İsmail, & Yazicioğlu, D. (2019). A retrospective evaluation of the effect of patient position on postdural puncture headache: is sitting position worse?. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care, 130-134. Retrieved from https://mail.apicareonline.com/index.php/APIC/article/view/306
Section
Original Articles