Accredited Section 3
Accreditation Period: 15 July 2025 - 14 July 2028

Postpartum individuals cope with recovering from birth in addition to the demands of caring for a newborn. Often, the addition of a PDPH is incapacitating.

In this Continuing Professional Development module, we review the literature on postdural puncture headache (PDPH) in obstetrics. The pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and outcomes are discussed. We explore the evidence for prevention and treatment options of PDPH in obstetric patients and the importance of the anesthesiologist’s role in caring for these patients.

After reading this module, the reader will be able to:
1. Explain the theoretical causes of postdural puncture headache and the modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors involved in postdural puncture headache development
2. State the severe complications associated with postdural puncture headache.
3. Discuss the differential diagnosis of postpartum headache.
4. Identify the symptoms of postdural puncture headache that should prompt further investigations, work-up, and referral.
5. Describe an evidence-based approach to performing an epidural blood patch in a patient with postdural puncture headache.