The effect of early ambulation on the prevalence of postoperative headache in patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia

One of the main problems in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for surgical operations especially cesarean section is the post spinal headache. This study was done to assess the effects of early ambulation in such patients on the prevalence of headache. In a randomized clinical trial, after taking informed written consent, 80 patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were divided in to 2 groups (40 in each group). Patients in the 1st group were ambulated 9 hours after surgery and patients in the 2nd group were ambulated after18 hours. The two groups were compared regarding prevalence and severity of headache, and the type of analgesic methods used for them. SPSS version 11 was used for data entry and analysis. No difference was found between groups regarding prevalence and severity of headache, (p=0.1). Also, there was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the use of analgesia, (p=0.3). Early ambulation, though possibly beneficial for the pregnant mothers, is not effective regarding headache alleviation after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.