AANA Region 6 Director American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
2.8 epidurals are placed in the United States each year for parturients. Most common complication of this is the accidental dural puncture or "wet-tap" which affects approximately 20-40,000 women. The accidental dural puncture can lead to a post-dural puncture headache which is the worst common complication in obstetric anesthesia, is the leading cause of malpractice claims, accounts for 25% of maternal neurological injuries, cause significant morbidity to include cranial nerve palsies, impaired childcare and breastfeeding, longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. There is various multiple post-dural puncture headache management techniques such as intrathecal catheters, conservative management, pharmacological management, and invasive procedures. A discussion on what current research says works and what does not allow CRNAs and RRNAs to make the best decision possible, along with optimal time and volume if a "blood path" is to be performed.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize methods/treatments to possibly prevent post dural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture.
Explain methods/treatments to possibly prevent post dural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture.
Execute a method/treatment to possibly prevent post dural puncture headache.