• Venkatesh R Bellamkonda, Thomas C Wright, Christine M Lohse, Virginia R Keaveny, Eric C Funk, Michael D Olson, and Torrey A Laack.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States. Electronic address: bellamkonda.venkatesh@mayo.edu.
• Am J Emerg Med. 2017 May 1; 35 (5): 769-772.

ObjectiveA wide variety of spinal needles are used in clinical practice. Little is currently known regarding the impact of needle length, gauge, and tip type on the needle's ability to measure spinal canal opening pressure. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between these factors and the opening-pressure measurement or time to obtain an opening pressure.MethodsThirteen distinct spinal needles, chosen to isolate the effects of length, gauge, and needle-point type, were prospectively tested on a lumbar puncture simulator. The key outcomes were the opening-pressure measurement and the time required to obtain that measure. Pressures were recorded at 10-s intervals until 3 consecutive, identical readings were observed.ResultsTime to measure opening pressure increased with increasing spinal needle length, increasing gauge, and the Quincke-type (cutting) point (P<0.001 for all). The time to measurement ranged from 30s to 530s, yet all needle types were able to obtain a consistent opening pressure measure.ConclusionAlthough opening pressure estimates are unlikely to vary markedly by needle type, the time required to obtain the measurement increased with increasing needle length and gauge and with Quincke-type needles.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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