Key clinical message: Neostigmine and atropine offer a promising treatment option for postdural puncture headache (PDPH) following spinal anesthesia in cesarean section, providing effective relief with a favorable risk-benefit profile.
Abstract: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common consequence of cesarean section surgeries after spinal anesthesia. This case study describes the successful treatment of PDPH with intravenous neostigmine and atropine. A 31 years female who underwent elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia developed a severe headache on the 6th postoperative day and was diagnosed to have PDPH. PDPH failed to respond to conventional treatment modalities like hydration, a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and sphenopalatine ganglion block. Epidural blood patch could not be performed due to lack of consent. A trial dose of intravenous neostigmine (20 mcg/kg) along with atropine (10 mcg/kg) successfully provided symptomatic and clinical relief. The combination of neostigmine and atropine demonstrates a rapid onset of action, providing patients with effective analgesia while avoiding the need for invasive procedures such as epidural blood patches and offers quicker pain relief. This promising result warrants additional research.
Keywords: PDPH; atropine; epidural blood patch; intensive care unit; neostigmine; spinal anesthesia.
© 2023 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.