You are called down to labour ward to put an epidural into a woman who is extremely distressed, in the throes of established labour who is thrashing around the bed in agony. You introduce yourself and she looks up at you and says "you ain't gonna give me a terrible f**** headache like that a******* who did ma epidural three years ago are ya?"

This week we are joined again but Dr Matt Rucklidge for a discussion on what is arguably still the most common serious problem which continues to plague obstetric anaesthetists. Ever since August Bier and his trusty assistant Hildebrandt inflicted this condition on eachother in the late 1800s when experimenting on themselves at the very birth of spinal anaesthesia we continue to struggle with this important and pressing problem.

August Bier - Father of spinal anaesthesia. He also personally experienced a 9 day postdural puncture headache!

Interesting Links

"What I wish I knew about post-dural puncture headaches before I got an epidural" Todays Parent

The Centennial of Spinal Anesthesia