title: Postspinal headache in young and elderly patients. Two randomised, double-blind studies that compare 20- and 25-gauge needles.
abstract: In two randomised, double-blind studies of elderly patients with a mean age of 68.9 (range 21-88) years and young patients, mean age 29.4 (range 20-40) years, the effect of needle size on the incidence of postspinal headache was compared. The two needle groups, 20- and 25-gauge, were comparable in both studies with regard to number, sex, age and type of surgery. The incidence of postspinal headache in young patients was 27.6% when a 20-gauge needle was used and 12.6% with a 25-gauge needle. There was no significant difference in either the incidence of headache in the elderly patients (10.8% and 7.8%, respectively) or between the sexes. It is concluded that it does not matter if a 20- or a 25-gauge needle is used for spinal analgesia in elderly patients with regard to postspinal headache, but if spinal analgesia is indicated in young patients a fine needle is preferred.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Central Hospital, Holstebro, Denmark.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011897:Random Allocation