Incidence and Risk Factors of “Postdural Puncture Headache” in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery under Spinal Anesthesia with 26G Quincke Spinal Needle, Experience of Medical College in Rural Settings in India 2019: A Prospective Cohort Study Design

INTRODUCTION: Almost every cesarean delivery is done under spinal anesthesia because of ease of doing, rapid onset, avoids maternal and fetal risk of general anesthesia, promotes early recovery. Major complication especially in young women undergoing LSCS under spinal anesthesia is post dural puncture headache (PDPH) which is caused by cerebrospinal fluid leakage. There is wide variation in reported incidence of PDPH (0.3% to 40 %) after spinal anesthesia being affected by various procedure and non procedure related risk factors like age, gender, needle size and type, numbers of spinal attempts and previous history of PDPH. METHODS: Prospective cohort study was conducted in 335 patients posted for caesarean section under spinal anesthesia from January 2019 to September 2019 in medical College situated in rural India. Spinal anesthesia was given by 26 G Quincke spinal needle. All patients were evaluated for incidence and severity of PDPH from post operative day 1 to day 5. RESULT: Incidence of PDPH was 11.4% in this study. Majority of patients (62.5%) were having mild pain. All patients reported PDPH with 72 hours. CONCLUSION: Body mass index (BMI), h/o PDPH, multiple attempts for successful spinal anesthesia did not have any significant association with PDPH in our study.