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Postdural Puncture Headache and Back Pain After Spinal Anesthesia With 27-Gauge Quincke and 26-Gauge Atraucan Needles
  1. Anette-Marie Schultz, M.D.*,
  2. Sabine Ulbing, M.D.†,
  3. Alexandra Kaider‡ and
  4. Franz Lehofer, M.D†
  1. *Department of Anesthesiology and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria, the
  2. †Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the German Order, Friesach, Austria, and the
  3. ‡Department of Medical Computer Sciences, University of Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria
  1. Reprint requests: Anette-Marie Schultz, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.

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.

  • spinal anesthesia
  • Quincke needle
  • Atraucan needle
  • postdural puncture headache
  • back pain

https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-00115550-199621050-00012

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