Assessing the Role of Intrathecal Catheters in Preventing Post-dural Puncture Headaches: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is defined as a postural headache that frequently develops within five to seven days following dural puncture, typically due to persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Young individuals and the obstetric population are particularly affected, and if not managed timely and appropriately, PDPH can lead to serious repercussions. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of intrathecal catheter placement in reducing the incidence of PDPH following accidental dural puncture (ADP). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search across multiple databases identified 11 relevant studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case series, and case reports, with sample sizes ranging from one to 1001. Inclusion criteria focused on adults (≥18 years) who experienced ADP, comparing those receiving intrathecal catheter placement to those who did not. Quality assessment tools were employed to evaluate the methodological rigor of the included studies. The synthesized evidence suggests that intrathecal catheter placement may be associated with lower rates of PDPH compared to standard management in many studies, and it appears to have a favorable safety profile. However, significant heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome definitions precludes a definitive conclusion. Intrathecal catheter placement appears to be a promising intervention for managing ADP, potentially reducing PDPH incidence. Given the variability in evidence, further rigorous research, particularly large-scale RCTs, is required to confirm efficacy and establish standardized protocols for clinical use.