The impact of mean platelet volume on post-dural puncture headaches

Objective: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a major complication associated with loss of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which occurs due to dural defect. Platelets play an important role in tissue healing and homeostasis. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indication of platelet function. In this study we wanted to investigate the relationship between MPV and PDPH. Method: Between January 2016 and January 2018, 182 patients who had a caesarean using spinal anaesthesia were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups as PDPH (+) and PDPH (-). The preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), platelet (PLT), MPV, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEUT) and lymphocyte (LYMPH) levels of the patients according to PDPH were evaluated. Results: There was no difference between preoperative and postoperative MPV values of PDPH (+) patients (respectively 10.77±1.17, 10.83±1.04, p=0.483) but there was a significant difference between MPV values of PDPH (-) patients (respectively 10.94±1.20, 11.10±1.11, p<0.001). Conclusions: There are a number of reasons that affect and predict the occurrence of PDPH. According to this study, postoperative MPV levels (high or low) could cause a prediction for PDPH