Prevalence, common clinical presentations and severity patterns of post-dural puncture headache among parturients who underwent cesarean section using spinal anesthesia in western Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Post-dural puncture headache is a complication of regional blocks that results from intentional dural puncture during spinal anesthesia and unintentional dural puncture during epidural anesthesia. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, common clinical presentations and severity of post-spinal puncture headache among parturients who underwent cesarean section using spinal anesthesia in western Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 249 mothers who were consecutively enrolled in their 3rd post-partum day during the period from April 2022 to July 2022 from postnatal ward of Fort portal Regional Referral Hospital. The data needed for analysis was gathered using pretested questionnaires. Data was entered into microsoft excel version 16, coded and transported into SPSS version 22 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was carried out using SPSS version 22.0.    Results: The prevalence of post-dural puncture headache among parturients who underwent cesarean section using spinal anesthesia was 81 (32.5%). Commonest clinical presentation being front/back headache 59 (72.8%), worsened with upright posture 81 (100%), coughing/sneezing 81 (100%) and improved on lying flat position 81 (100%).  The commonest form was mild one 35 (43.2%). Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of post-dural puncture headache as compared to studies done in the region which mainly presented as frontal/back with the commonest form being mild.