Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Postdural Puncture Headache in the Obstetric Population: A Narrative Review

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) frequently complicates neuraxial anesthesia, delaying patient recovery and reducing quality of life after surgery. Epidural blood patch (EBP), the conventional standard of care, is effective but not without risks. Therefore, safer, less invasive alternatives are of increasing interest. The sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is a minimally invasive regional analgesic technique that has drawn attention in recent years for managing PDPH, largely because it is non‑opioid and generally well tolerated. In this narrative review, we summarize current knowledge on the anatomical basis, proposed mechanisms, procedural techniques, and clinical evidence (mostly from case reports and case series) for SPGB in the obstetric population, and we discuss key controversies that remain unresolved.