Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) following spinal anaesthesia is characterised by its postural nature. An epidural blood patch is indicated when conservative management fails. The success rate of a well-placed epidural blood patch is approximately:

• A 30–40%
• B 50–60%
• C 100%
• D 85–90% ✓

Explanation

An epidural blood patch (EBP) — injecting 15–20 mL of autologous blood into the epidural space at the same intervertebral level as the dural puncture — provides relief in 85–90% of cases of PDPH by compressing the dural puncture site and increasing epidural/subarachnoid pressure. About 10–15% of patients require a second patch. Conservative management (rest, hydration, caffeine, analgesics) resolves PDPH in 5–7 days in most cases, but EBP is preferred for severe or persistent symptoms. Contraindications include fever, septicaemia, or anticoagulation.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.