Incidence of newly developed postoperative low back pain with median versus paramedian approach for spinal anesthesia.

Background: The effects of anesthetic techniques on postdural puncture backache (PDPB) have not been specifically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of PDPB between median and paramedian techniques.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia by either a median (Group M, n = 50) or paramedian (Group P, n = 50) approach.