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Abstract

Objective: Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a preventable complication of spinal anaesthesia, hence this study was undertaken to know the incidence of PDPH.Methodology: 670 patients belonging to ASA II with age group ranging from 20-35 years were considered for the study.Patients with acute or chronic headache, ophthalmic, otorhinolaryngological, psychiatric and neurological problems and those patients belonging to ASA III, IV were excluded from the study.Injection Bupivacaine H 0.5% was injected at L4-L5 intervertebral level using 26G Quinckes needle.Results: In the postoperative period only 1.34% of cases developed PDPH.Five patients had mild headache, 3 patients had moderate headache and 1 patient had severe which was managed by analgesics like oral paracetamol, caffeine IV fluids and lying down position.Conclusion: Multiple dural puncture attempts were associated with 17 times more risk of development of PDPH when compared to single attempt.The orientation of needle bevel perpendicular to the longitudinal dural fibres was associated with 4 times more risk of developing PDPH when compared to the parallel orientation.