Incidence of post dural puncture headache (PDPH) in comparison with 23,25 and 27G needles in relation to age

Aim: to asses the incidence of pdph in different gauges of spinal needle in relation to age.methods: this comparative study was carried out at afiu (rwp),railway general hospital rawalpindi and children complex multan from august 2007 to august 2008. a total of 1500 patients were studied in 9 different groups (a1,b1,c1,a2,b2,c2,a3,b3,c3) with group a,b and c for 23g,25g and 27g respectively and 1,2 and 3 for 26-40yrs,41-55yrs,and 56-70yrs respectively. a1 included younger age group with 23g spinal needle and c3 included older age group with 27 g spinal needle. asa ii/iii grade patients were selected. all groups were preloaded with 10ml/kg body weight ringers lactate. routine urine examination and blood complete picture were done. 24 hrs strict post-operative bed rest observed.results: the frequency of pdph in a1 (6%),b1 (3%),c1 (2%),a2 (3%),b2 (1.33%),c2 (0%),a3 (0%),b3 (0%),c3 (0%).conclusion: the study clearly shows at incidence is much higher in younger age group even with the finest needle of 27 gauge. © 2014 pakistan journal of medical and health sciences. all rights reserved.