“How long do you have to lay flat after spinal anesthesia?”
I am a 37 year old female. I want to know how long do you have to lay flat after spinal anesthesia?
2 Answers
No time. It is a misconception from 30 years ago. Not anymore. The spinal needles are totally different and the incidence of a spinal headache is less than 1%.
If the anesthesiologist can use a very small (24-26 ga) spinal needle, there is no need to lay flat afterwards. If a "spinal fluid leak" headache follows spinal anesthesia, then laying flat will reduce headache discomfort. Spinal headache occurs between 0.5-1/100 patients.
