PROLONGED PLACEMENT OF SPINAL CATHETERS DOES NOT PREVENT POSTDURAL PUNCTURE HEADACHE

Objective. To determine whether leaving an intrathecal catheter in pla ce in the postoperative period prevents postdural puncture headache (P DPH). Methods. Lumbar puncture was performed with an 18-gauge Tuohy ne edle. 0.5% bupivacaine spinal anesthesia was given through a 20-gauge catheter in 87 patients having orthopedic surgery. Postoperatively, pa tients were allocated randomly to have the catheter immediately withdr awn (group 1, N = 47) or kept in place for 12 to 24 hours (group 2, N = 40). Patients were questioned by a blinded observer, about PDPH twic e a day on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 8. Results. The incidence o f PDPH was 9.2%, and this was comparable in the two groups (5 patients in group 1 and 3 patients in group 2). Conclusion. Leaving the intrat hecal catheter in place in the postoperative period for 12 to 24 hours does not prevent PDPH.