Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The post-dural puncture headache is one of the common complications of spinal anaesthesia. It is one of the most frequent claims for malpractice involving obstetrics anaesthesia. Though self-limiting it is troublesome to the patient. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of post-dural puncture headache after spinal anaesthesia in parturients undergoing cesarean section in the Department of Anesthesia in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among parturients who underwent cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia from 27 June 2022 to 19 January 2023 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: MEMG/480/IRC). The pregnant patients aged 18-45 years of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status II/IIE who underwent elective or emergency cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were included. A convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 385 parturients, the prevalence of post-dural puncture headache was 27 (7.01%) (4.53-9.67, 95% Confidence Interval). A total of 12 (44.44%) cases experienced post-dural puncture headache in the first 24 hours followed by 9 (33.33%) and 6 (22.22%) cases in 48 and 72 hours respectively. Moderate pain was complained of by 3 (11.11%) and 2 (7.41%) cases at 48 and 72 hours post-cesarean section respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of post-dural puncture headache after spinal anaesthesia in parturients undergoing cesarean section was similar to studies done in similar settings. KEYWORDS: cesarean section; headache; prevalence.