Unintentional dural puncture may lead to longer-term complications than previously known. Results of recent retrospective studies found that dural puncture, which occurs in 1% of epidurals and can lead to acute headache in 60% to 80% of patients, also may cause increases in chronic headaches.
In a prospective study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, researchers examined the association between dural puncture and chronic headache. Chronic headache was defined as a function-limiting