All patients with a postdural puncture headache should receive an epidural blood patch
Author
Rucklidge, Matt W.
Date
2014-05-01Journal
International journal of obstetric anesthesiaType
CommentPublisher
ElsevierDOI
10.1016/j.ijoa.2013.07.005Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is an important complication of obstetric epidural anaesthesia and analgesia. Though often self-limiting, PDPH is unpleasant, at times incapacitating, and associated with complications, some of which are serious. Despite this, treatment options are few and of limited efficacy. The epidural blood patch (EBP) has been used for PDPH treatment for over 50 years.(1) It is probably the most efficacious of therapies, although this is unproven, and plays an important part in the management of this condition.(2) However, PDPH is often complex, of variable severity and duration, and merits a cautious and individualized approach to its diagnosis and treatment. An EBP may be part of that treatment but administering it to all women with PDPH is not the optimal management approach.