[Postspinal headache. A comparison of the 24G Sprotte syringe and a 29G Quincke needle].
METHODS
A randomised study was performed to compare the frequency of postdural puncture headache in 56 patients who underwent spinal anaesthesia for extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy using either a Sprotte 24 G (n = 28) or Vygon 29 G or Quincke type needle (n = 28). Frequency of headache was recorded in a similar group of 28 patients who received general anaesthesia.


RESULTS
Dural puncture was easier with the Sprotte 24 G cannula than with the less stable Quincke needle, as documented by a significantly shortened time for insertion of the cannula (4.6 +/- 2.6 vs 8.6 +/- 6.3 min, P less than 0.005). The total frequency of post-operative headache was 57% in the Vygon 29 G group and 25% in the Sprotte 24 G group; 21% of patients in the general anaesthesia group complained of headache. Frequency of postdural puncture headache, classified as being posture-related, was 25% in the 29 G Vygon group, compared with 11% in the 24 G Sprotte group (P = 0.148). When only moderate and severe postdural puncture headache was considered, there was a significant difference (25% vs. 4%; P = 0.026) in favour of the Sprotte cannula.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, the 24 G Sprotte needle was at least as effective as the 29 G Vygon needle, and there is a suggestion that the former is more effective in minimising the incidence of moderate or severe postdural puncture headache.
Lim
M
M
St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Cross
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GD
Sold
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013594:Syringes
Postspinaler Kopfschmerz. Ein Vergleich der 24G Sprotte-Kanüle mit einer 29G Quincke-Nadel.