Conditions: Headache
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: FACTORIAL
Enrollment: 4
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this research study is to compare the effectiveness of a sphenopalatine ganglion block to an epidural blood patch for post-dural puncture headache relief in randomized postpartum parturients over a 48 hour period.

Detailed description:
The purpose of this research study is to compare the effectiveness of a sphenopalatine ganglion block to an epidural blood patch for post-dural puncture headache relief in randomized postpartum parturients over a 48 hour period. A known dural puncture is defined as free flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) during neuraxial placement. An unknown dural puncture is defined as neuraxial placement where free flow of CSF is not appreciated, however the patient is diagnosed with a post-dural puncture headache as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders.

Arms:
arm 1: Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block: The patient is placed in the supine position. Four cc of 2% viscous lidocaine is placed to the level of the sphenopalatine ganglion with a 20 gauge angiocatheter along sterile swabs which were placed carefully into the patients nostrils bilaterally and lateral to the middle turbinate. It will be documented that the patient has no pain or paresthesia during or after the procedure. The swabs are withdrawn after 30 minutes. arm 2: Epidural Blood Patch: The patient is positioned in the sitting or lateral positon. Using aseptic technique, 20mL of autologous blood is drawn by a trained practitioner. The epidural placement is performed by a trained practitioner using aseptic technique and the vertebral space accessed is at or immediately below the original neuraxial placement. After entrance into the epidural space is confirmed with loss of resistance technique to either air or saline, 15-20 milliliters of sterile autologous venous blood is injected. After the procedure the patient rests supine for at least 1 hour. Patients are instructed to avoid heavy lifting, abdominal straining, or coughing for at least 48 hours.

Interventions: intervention 1: Sphenopalatine ganglion Block intervention 2: Epidural blood patch
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: None intervention 2: None

Protocol document:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: