29.03.2024

Headache occurring after subarachnoid or spinal anesthesia

Headache occurring after subarachnoid or spinal anesthesia is one of the possible postoperative complications. After surgery with little pain in the head region facing in a third of cases.

More severe headache is very rare, which is less than 1% of cases when such anaesthetization. Apply anesthesia, if necessary, caesarean section, knee joints and in cases where General anesthesia is contraindicated.

The duration of pain after this type of local anesthesia is very different. It may be concerned not only for two hours, but much longer, lasting for weeks. About the character, which become headaches after a spinal anesthesia, and more on.

The nature of the headache

Subarachnoid anesthesia involves puncturing a needle sheath that is a thin membrane.

Existing between this substance and the cerebrospinal space of land filled with a specific liquid.

  • through the puncture expires liquid;
  • “automatically” decreases intracerebral pressure;
  • formed headache.

So, accordingly, a decrease in the total length of the puncture, decreasing the loss of fluid. As a consequence, the smaller is the tendency to the formation of headaches after the presentation of the type of anesthesia.

In order to reduce the parameters of perforation were developed by the finest subarachnoid needle. Were then changed and the sharpening of the needle, which was a pencil. The main reason for rare use of the finest modern needles have a conical point shape, is their relatively high price.

How to prevent headaches?

The main measure of prevention, giving the possibility to prevent headache after anesthesia, should be considered the use of thin needles. They have a small diameter (25G and on) and pencil method of sharpening.

No less important reasons for the formation of strong and long-lasting pain are the failure to comply with preventive rules.

We are talking about that in the first days of the postoperative intervention:

  • strict bed rest;
  • to be in bed in a horizontal position without lifting;
  • to drink more than two liters of water.

In such a situation headaches manifested after spinal anaesthesia, are much gentler.

Methods of treatment

The vast majority formed after subarachnoid anesthesia headaches (patients are faced with post dural puncture migraines) does not need any recovery medicine

When the headaches are to be adhered to medical advice. So, in addition to some of them previously identified, should take painkillers. The allowed list is “Paracetamol”, “Ibuprofen”, “Askofen” and “Citramon”. Many face significant improvement after consumption of such drinks as tea, coffee or Cola.

Epidural patches

Quite rare, but nonetheless are possible cases when therapeutic measures are unsuccessful. In this scenario, the headache becoming more severe and does not stop for days. In this situation, doctors insist on the use of blood patch (performs her anesthesiologist).

It should take a small amount of blood from the vein. Then it embeds itself in the back, or rather, in the area, which previously had subarachnoid anesthesia.

This leads to the fact that:

  • the blood naturally clots;
  • covers the hole in the membrane (through it is celebrated the Exodus of fluid from the spinal cord).

As a result, provoked by anesthesia headache is suspended. Most often, any discomfort from “overlaying” epidural patches end in the same day.

Applying patches rarely does not bring relief. As a result, developing after subarachnoid anesthesia headache appears again. In this situation, a repeated epidural patch post dural puncture stops painful symptoms in 100% of cases.

It is important to note that the imposition of the described patches in certain cases is complicated by significant consequences. It could be an infection, blood discharge, breach of sensornet and movements in the lower extremities. Even less likely is the formation of spinal pain. The risk presented complications epidural patch, is extremely small, but it exists.

The use of saline

Instead of blood allowed the introduction into the subarachnoid area of the saline. So, from one to one and a half liters can be embedded more than 24 hours. You must start on the same day as epidural anesthesia or puncture the cerebrospinal region. Its advantages are that it ensures the same effect as an epidural patch. In addition, the solution is sterile and poses less chance of infection.

At the same time, this method has some disadvantages. In particular, the fact that saline is a liquid and is absorbed too. Therefore, the pressure of the support is not regulated as efficiently as in the case of infusion of blood.

Thus, headaches after spinal anesthesia are not the most rare. Encounter with him very much and because methods of prevention and treatment are well known. They will help to improve overall health and restore 100% life.

One thought on “Headache occurring after subarachnoid or spinal anesthesia

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