An in vitro comparison of fluid leakage after dural puncture with Atraucan, Sprotte, Whitacre, and Quincke needles.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to evaluate the influence of needle size and design on the rate of leakage following dural puncture.


METHODS
An in vitro model and fresh human lumbar dura were used to examine the rate of fluid leakage after puncture with Sprotte (24-gauge and 26-gauge), Atraucan (24-gauge and 26-gauge), Quincke (26-gauge and 29-gauge), and Whitacre (22-gauge and 25-gauge) needles.


RESULTS
The study confirmed that finer-gauge needles tend to produce less leakage and that traditional Quincke pattern bevels result in greater leakage than pencil-point designs of the same diameter.


CONCLUSIONS
The comparably low leakage rate produced by the Atraucan, a new needle with a terminal opening, suggests that this needle is worthy of further clinical evaluation.
Morrison
L M
LM
St. John's Hospital at Howden, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.
McCrae
A F
AF
Foo
I
I
Scott
D B
DB
Wildsmith
J A
JA
D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004388:Dura Mater; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009339:Needles; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation*