COMPARISON OF THE FORCE REQUIRED FOR DURAL PUNCTURE WITH DIFFERENT SPINAL NEEDLES AND SUBSEQUENT LEAKAGE OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

An in vitro model was used to determine the force required to pierce b ovine dura with a range of new spinal needles and to measure the subse quent leakage rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A significantly great er forte was required to pierce the dura with pencil-point style needl es compared to Quincke needles of the same size. Quincke needles cause d a greater loss of CSF than their pencil-point equivalents. The resul ts suggest that there is not likely to be a significant reduction in p ostdural puncture headache (PDPH) using a 27-gauge pencil-point needle compared to a 25-gauge needle that may be easier to use. Different ma kes of the same design and gauge of needle showed significant differen ces in the amount of CSF leakage, which may influence the clinician's choice of needle.