The Effect of Spinal Needle Type on Post-Dural Puncture Headache in Spinal Anesthesia: Prospective Randomized Study.

Background:  Postdural puncture headache is a headache that occurs after a dura puncture, especially in caesarean sections, and afects patient comfort and mobilization. In this study, we compared the efects of pencil-tipped spinal needles and especially curved, bilateral atraumatic spinal needles in individuals undergoing elective caesarean sections.

Methods:  A total of 886 patients, aged 20-50 years, who had cesarean sections with spinal anesthesia and had American Society of Anesthesiologists II and III scores, were included in the study. The patients were allocated into 3 groups using the closed envelope randomization technique: Group 1 (n=250) received spinal insertions using 25-gauge pencil-point needles; Group 2 (n=245) received spinal insertions using 26-gauge atraumatic needles; and Group 3 (n=250) received spinal insertions using 27-gauge pencil-point needles. Records were kept of the quantity of spinal needle referrals, the type of treatment, the length of hospital stays, and complications.

Results:  In the study, 745 patients who had cesarean section operations under spinal anesthesia were further analyzed. The mean incidence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) was 3.2% (n=24). The incidence of PDPH was higher in group 2 than in group 3 and group 1 (Group 1: 2.8%; Group 2: 6.8%; Group 3: 0%) (P <0.05). Among other complications, low back, back, shoulder, and surgical complications were similar for all 3 groups.

Conclusion:  In caesarean section operations, pencil-point spinal needles were found to have a lower incidence of postdural puncture headache than Atraucan-cut needles, regardless of needle thickness.