Abstract:
Existence of neck stiffness after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section had been
reported. Neck stiffness after spinal anesthesia can reduce patients’ quality of life although
never reported causing death. This study aimed to explore and describe the demographic
data, needle types and sizes, onset, and the pain severity in patients whom the neck stiffness
occurred. Total respondents of this study are 46 patients that taken by using consecutive
admission method. The type and size of the needle to be used was assigned in a random
manner. During the postoperative period, patients were visited daily and asked about the
presence, onset, and the pain severity of neck stiffness. The overall incidence of neck stiffness
after spinal anesthesia was 10,9% (n=5), two of nine in 25-gauge Quinckie (22,2%), two of
sixteen in 26-gauge Quinckie (12,5%), and one of twenty in 27-gauge Quinckie (5%). The
onset of neck stiffness is between 24-48 hours postoperative. One patient classified as mild
pain and four patients as moderate pain. All of the neck stiffness resolved within 24 hours
with conservative management. The authors conclude that incidence of neck stiffness after
spinal anesthesia using 25-gauge Quinckie is higher than 26-gauge Quinckie and 27-gauge
Quinckie.
