An epidural blood patch is performed when a person seems to be suffering from a spinal headache, which usually has
resulted from a tear or puncture (intentional or unintentional) of the dura (tissue layer) lining the spinal canal. An intentional
hole is made when performing a spinal anesthetic or a spinal tap. It is thought that the leakage of spinal fluid through the hole
results in the severe headache. There are many theories as to why or how an epidural blood patch works, but no single
mechanism has been identified yet.
An epidural blood patch is the injection of blood that was drawn from the patients arm, into their back (into the epidural space
outside of the spinal canal). The patient will be placed in the sitting position or on the side. The lower back will be cleansed
with an antiseptic and then numbed. The doctor will place the needle into the epidural space. Then, some blood will be drawn
from the arm and immediately injected into the back through the previously placed needle. During the injection, the patient will
probably feel pressure in the back or in the head, but this will last only for a minute or two. The patient will need to lie flat, or
near flat for about an hour to allow the blood to clot and "patch" the hole in the dura. The procedure will take up to 30 minutes.
The patient will rest while the nurse monitors the blood pressure and pulse. The headache usually subsides within a short
time after the injection. Afterward, the patient will be instructed to go home and lay down for several more hours, and not to
perform heavy lifting or extreme bending for two days.
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