P Pu ur rp po os se e: : Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is an iatrogenic complication of neuraxial blockade. We systematically reviewed the literature on parturients to determine the frequency, onset, and duration of PDPH. M Me et th ho od ds s: :Citations on PDPH in the obstetrical population were identified by computerized searches, citation review, and hand searches of abstracts and conference proceedings. Citations were included if they contained extractable data on frequency, onset, or duration of PDPH. Using meta-analysis, we calculated pooled estimates of the frequency of accidental dural puncture for epidural needles and pooled estimates of the frequencies of PDPH for epidural and spinal needles.R Re es su ul lt ts s: : Parturients have approximately a 1.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5% to 1.5%) risk of accidental dural puncture with epidural insertion. Of these, approximately half (52.1%; 95% CI, 51.4% to 52.8%) will result in PDPH. The risk of PDPH from spinal needles diminishes with small diameter, atraumatic needles, but is still appreciable (Whitacre 27-gauge needle 1.7%; 95% CI, 1.6% to 1.8%). PDPH occurs as early as one day and as late as seven days after dural puncture and lasts 12 hr to seven days. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : PDPH is a common complication for parturients undergoing neuraxial blockade. Objectif : Les céphalées post-ponction durale (CPPD) sont une complication iatrogène du bloc neuraxial. Une revue systématique des publications sur les parturientes a permis de déterminer la fréquence, le délai d'installation et la durée des CPPD. Méthode : Les citations sur les CPPD dans la population obstétricale ont été repérées par des recherches informatisées, la revue des références et des recherches manuelles de résumés et de comptes rendus de conférences. Les références retenues devaient comporter des données sur la fréquence, le délai d'installation et la durée des

Purpose: To describe a bibliographic database on the literature of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) in the obstetrical population, to describe the research architecture in this field, and to evaluate the quality of case-control studies, cohort studies, and controlled clinical trials on PDPH.Methods: Computerized bibliographic searches, citation review, and hand searches were conducted to find all relevant citations on incidence, clinical course, prevention, or treatment of PDPH in parturients. The study design and topic(s) covered by each study were evaluated. Case-control studies and cohort studies were evaluated using the Quality Index; clinical trials were evaluated using the Jadad scale.Results: One hundred ninety-six relevant citations were published between 1949 and 1999. Research on PDPH has been increasing rapidly with the majority of studies published in the 1990's. Incidence and prevention were the focus of over half of all citations. Optimal study designs were infrequently utilized. The methodological quality was poor for observational studies (Quality Index 10/29) and clinical trials (Jadad scale 2/5).Conclusion: Although the amount of research on PDPH in parturients is increasing, use of optimal study designs and improvement in methodology is needed.

No abstract