EPiMAP Obstetrics: European Practices in the Management of Accidental Dural Puncture in Obstetrics

The primary aim of this prospective, international audit of practice is to identify risk factors for failure of epidural blood patch (EBP) in the Obstetric population after accidental dural puncture (ADP) with an epidural needle. Other aims are to describe the epidemiology, management principles, side effects and complications of ADP and longer-term effects of ADP on patients undergoing Obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia. Expectation is that this audit of practice will provide important information in understanding the reasons for failure of EBP and subsequently to better manage parturients affected by this debilitating complication.

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most common serious complication of accidental dural puncture (ADP), and feared by every Anaesthesiologist. It is associated with significant peri-partum maternal distress, and poor bonding with the baby, which in turn leads to physical disability for the mother and psychological and social implications for the whole family. It is estimated that about 10,000 parturients in Europe may have an accidental dural puncture (ADP) each year. Attitudes and practices in the management of ADP are based on small studies, and sometimes driven by experience rather than evidence. Although several methods have been described in the literature to treat PDPH, one common method used is an epidural blood patch (EBP). This is believed to be successful in about 60-80% of parturients on the first attempt, but results from most studies are based on a small numbers of patients. The reasons and predisposing factors for success and failure of different management strategies, specifically EBP, therefore needs to be investigated and described. Large observational studies on post-dural puncture headache in the Obstetric population are singularly absent from the literature.

Inclusion criteria

• All women ≥ 18 years old, who develop classical symptoms of post-dural puncture headache after epidural anaesthesia for labour or for caesarean section.

Exclusion criteria

• Post-dural puncture headache following deliberate dural puncture with a spinal needle in women where there was no observed accidental dural puncture with an epidural needle.