• J J Hwang, S T Ho, J J Wang, and H S Liu.
• Department of Anesthesiology, National Defense Medical Center/Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
• Acta Anaesthesiol. Sin. 1997 Mar 1;35(1):33-7.

BackgroundOur previous study showed that there were no significant differences in the incidence of post dural puncture headache (PDPH) relevant to the use of 24 to 26-gauge Quincke spinal needles in obstetric patients. Again, we were eager to know if the pencil-point spinal needle (Whitacre) would be able to decrease the incidence of PDPH compared to Quincke spinal needle.MethodsWe prospectively observed 94 spinal anesthesias for cesarean section performed during the period from May 1993 to July 1995. The 25-gauge Whitacre needles were used. In practice the insertion of needle was made through median line approach and the puncture was considered eligible only in one attempt. The PDPH was observed until its disappearance, and one without PDPH had also been observed for at least one week for likelihood of delayed occurrence. The data were compared with those of our previous study regarding the use of 25- and 26-gauge Quincke needles in obstetric patients. All of the data were analyzed using the Fisher exact test.ResultsThe incidence of PDPH was 1.06%. In comparison there was no significant difference from that of 25- and 26-gauge Quincke needles (3.65% and 2.06%, respective). Only one case suffered from PDPH in the Whitacre group. It was mild and relieved with bed rest and hydration.ConclusionsAlthough the difference was not statistically significant, the 25-gauge Whitacre spinal needle caused a lower incidence and less severity of PDPH than the 25- and 26-gauge Quincke needles did.

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