[Postspinal headache. Is 24-hour flat bedrest a preventive measure?]

Abstract

Spinal anaesthesia was performed with a 22-gauge needle on 112 consecutive patients above fifty years of age admitted for transurethral surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to either 24 h of recumbency (group A) or ambulation as soon as the spinal had worn off (group B). Postspinal headache was found in 14% of the patients in the recumbency group and in 11% of the patients in the group of early ambulation. There were no differences between the groups regarding incidence, time of onset and duration of postspinal headache. Based on the literature and the present investigation, early ambulation is therefore recommended.