EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTOLOGOUS EPIDURAL BLOOD PATCH TO RELIEVE POST DURAL PUNCTURE HEADACHE

Abstract

Objective: To describe the efficacy of AEBP in treatment of PDPH.
Study Design: Prospective descriptive study.
Setting and Duration: The study was conducted at departments of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and Combined Military Hospital, Malir, from July 2008 to July 2011.
Methodology: All patients who received AEBP during study period secondary to PDPH were included. Up to 20ml of autologous blood was injected in epidural space. Effectiveness of AEBP was judged by relief of symptom;any complications associated with AEBP i.e. backache and paresthesia were also noted. Data was interpreted as mean and percentages.
Results: A total of 30 AEBP were performed during the study period in predominantly female patients (n=27) with mean age of 27.8 years. AEBP was performed after a mean 3.83 days of lumbar puncture. Complete relief was observed in 29 (96%) patients; one patient required a second patch. During the follow-up, 7 (23%) patients complained of backache and 2(6%) of paresthesias.
Conclusion: AEBP is an effective way of providing relief from PDPH.