24hr bed rest following spinal anesthesia is practised commonly. This study was designed to evaluate the role of post operative position in the prevalence and severity of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and back pain.
Methods280 (ASA 1or 2) patients receiving spinal anesthesia were studied. They were randomly allocated to either 24hr bed rest (group 1) or early ambulation (group 2). Patients were followed up at postpoerative day 1 & 2 and incidence of PDPH and back pain were compared.
ResultsThe incidence of PDPH in each group was 22.3% and 27.6%. No difference was found between two groups. The incidence of back pain was higher than PDPH in both groups.
ConclusionsThis study demonstrate that there was no relation between 24hr bed rest and the occurance of PDPH and back pain.