COMPARISON OF THE 25-GAUGE WHITACRE WITH THE 24-GAUGE SPROTTE SPINAL NEEDLE FOR ELECTIVE CESAREAN-SECTION - COST IMPLICATIONS

Spinal anaesthesia provides rapid, safe anaesthesia for Caesarean sect ion. The pencil-point spinal needles (Sprotte and Whitacre) are report ed to have a low incidence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). As the 25G Whitacre is less expensive than the 24G Sprotte needle, this p rospective, randomized, double-blind study was designed to compare the incidence of PDPH and ease of insertion of these needles in 304 ASA 1 and 2 women having elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesi a. Each patient was assessed daily for five consecutive days following Caesarean section by an investigator blinded to the needle used The r esults indicate that the two needles have a similar ease of insertion, number of failed insertions, and failed subarachnoid blockade. An ina bility to insert the spinal needles occurred in two patients in each g roup. Therefore, 150 patients in each group completed the study. The i ncidence of PDPH with the 24G Sprotte needle was 4.0% (6/150) compared with 0.66% (1/150) with the 25 G Whitacre (NS). There was no correlat ion between the occurence of PDPH and the difficulty of needle inserti on, presence of transient hypotension or the effectiveness of anaesthe sia delivered. This study indicates that both needles are comparable w ith respect to ease of insertion and incidence of PDPH. As the Whitacr e needle is less expensive it is a reasonable alternative to the more expensive Sprotte needle.