[Comparison of two 27-G-caliber needles for spinal anesthesia. Study of 1,555 patients].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare two 27-gauge anesthesia needles with different points (a Whitacre-type point and a Quincke-type point) and to assess the incidences of postdural puncture headache (PDPH), puncture difficulty and failed anesthesia.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized and double-blind trial enrolled 1,555 patients receiving spinal anesthesia for lower abdominal surgery. No age limits were established. A 27-gauge Whitacre-point needle was used in group I (n = 748) and a 27-gauge Quincke-point needle was used in group II (n = 774).


RESULTS
The incidences of PDPH were significantly different in groups I (0.53%) and II (1.85%) (p < 0.01). Puncture was easy in 84.89% of the procedures in group I and in 78.81% in group II (p < 0.01). The number of cases in which a puncture could not be accomplished was similar in the two groups (2.41% in group I and 2.07% in group II). The number of failed anesthetic procedures was also similar (0.96% in group I and 1.45% in group II).


CONCLUSIONS
When a 27-gauge Whitacre-point needle is used, fewer cases of PDPH develop and the puncture is easier to accomplish than when a Quincke-point needle is used. The number of failed anesthetic procedures is similar with both needles. Whitacre-point 27-gauge needles are preferable to Quincke-point 27-gauge needles.
de Diego Fernández
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R
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid. rddiego@terra.es
Tisner Madrid
M L
ML
Cabrerizo Torrente
P
P
Sanjoaquín Mur
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T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*