Assessment of Postdural Puncture Headache in Women Under Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized Trial Study

Background: Spinal anesthesia is the most common anesthesia technique used for cesarean section. Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is one of the consequences following spinal anesthesia. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PDPH with 25-gauge Quincke and Whitacre’s spinal needles. Secondary outcomes were mean severity of PDPH, need for analgesic, movement limitation, and associated symptoms and signs followed up for 1 week after surgery. Methods: In this randomized trial study, 130 women were randomly divided into 2 equal groups based on the excel file and random between function. They received spinal anesthesia with either Quincke or Whitacre spinal needles. The incidence of PDPH was followed up 1 week later. Among PDPH women, secondary outcomes and symptoms/signs (such as nausea, vomiting, neck pain, and shoulder pain) were evaluated for 1 week after surgery. Results: All 130 women completed the study. PDPH was observed in 16 women (12.3%), including 6 (9.2%) in the Whitacre group and 10 (15.4%) in the Quincke group, which was not statically significant (P = 0.424). However, secondary outcomes and associated signs and symptoms were more common in the Whitacre group than in the Quincke group, followed up for 1 week in this trial. It can be related to more primary headache history in the Whitacre group than in the Quincke group. Conclusions: Overall, the Whitacre spinal needle is better than Quincke in reducing the incidence of PDPH, but primary headache history in young women causes higher mean severity of PDPH in them. Also, primary headache history causes more associated symptoms and signs in women with PDPH.