Comparison of frequency of PDPH in obstetrical patients after caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia with 25 G Quincke (cutting) needle 25 G pencil point needle (non cutting)

Background: this study was conducted to compare the frequency of pdph (post dural puncture headache) in obstetrical patients after caesarean section under spinal anesthesia with 25 gauge quincke needle (cutting) and 25 gauge pencil point needle (non-cutting). methods: we randomized 100 patients into 2 equal groups; groups were given names as group a and group b. in the group a (n=50),25 gauge quincke needle was used for intrathecal block. in group b (n = 50),25 gauge pencil point needle was used for the block. the groups were compared for the frequency of pdph,as assessed for consecutive 3 days post operatively. results; frequency of pdph was comparable in both quincke and pencil point needle groups (4% vs 14%),but there was no statistically significant difference. conclusion: use of 25 gauge pencil point needle for spinal anaesthesia in obstetrical patients does significantly reduces the frequency of pdph as compared to 25 gauge quincke needle. © 2016,lahore medical and dental college. all rights reserved.