DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/KGQB-1S86
Defense Date
1988
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Health Related Sciences
First Advisor
Sandra L. Lovell
Abstract
This investigation determined the difference in the incidence of spinal headache in 33 patients placed in 30 degrees (°) head-up position versus 33 patients who remained flat for four hours following the administration of spinal anesthesia. An experimental design was used. The two randomly assigned groups presented for elective postpartum tubal ligation under spinal anesthesia. Group A was placed flat and group B had the head of their beds elevated 30° postoperatively. Strict procedural protocol was adhered to prior to and during the administration of the spinal anesthetic. To determine if the patients had any symptoms consistent with spinal headache, patients were visited postoperatively in the hospital and were contacted again on the seventh to ninth postoperative day. Pain in the frontal and/or occipital area which was aggravated by sitting up and relieved by lying down was used as the criteria for spinal headache. The data were analyzed using the Fisher Exact Test.
There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of headache between the postpartum tubal ligation patients who were placed flat postoperatively and those who had the head of their bed elevated 30° (p = 1). The null hypothesis was therefore supported at p > .05. The findings support relaxing restrictions placed on patient's positioning following spinal anesthesia.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
10-28-2016
Comments
Scanned, with permission from the author, from the original print version, which resides in University Archives.