Postdural puncture headache and back pain after spinal anesthesia with 27-gauge Quincke and 26-gauge Atraucan needles

Reg Anesth. 1996 Sep-Oct;21(5):461-4.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the 26-gauge Atraucan needle shows any benefit on the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and back pain as compared with the 27-gauge Quincke needle.

Methods: We investigated 388 patients, 171 men and 217 women, who were receiving spinal anesthesia for subumbilical surgery. We compared spinal anesthesia via the 27-gauge Quincke needle in 202 patients (group Q) and via the 26-gauge Atraucan needle in 186 patients (group A).

Results: The incidence of PDPH was 2.97% (6 of 202) in group Q and 2.69% (5 of 186) in group A. The incidence of back pain was 4.95% (10 of 202) in group Q and 5.91% (11 of 186) in group A. There was no statistically significant association of needle type, age, or sex with the incidence of PDPH and back pain.

Conclusions: Both needles are associated with very low incidences of PDPH and back pain, which are not affected by which needle is chosen.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anesthesia, Spinal / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Spinal / instrumentation*
  • Back Pain / etiology*
  • Back Pain / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology*
  • Headache / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needles*
  • Spinal Puncture / adverse effects*