The Role of Recumbency in the Prevention and Treatment of Postspinal Headache

A total of 1134 postspinal patients were kept recumbent for periods of from 4 to 12 hours. The spinal headache rate was then computed, using a detailed 7-day followup of all hospitalized patients and a 10-day followup of patients discharged from the hospital before 7 days. The study demonstrated that there was no predictable pattern relating the time spent recumbent to the occurrence of postspinal headaches, but once headache occurs, recumbency aids in pain relief. It is recommended that early ambulation, as soon as motor function permits, results in better patient acceptance of spinal anesthesia.