[Complications after spinal analgesia using three different spinal needles: Sprotee, Spinocan and Atraucan]

In this prospective, randomised study 197 patients aged below 40 years received spinal analgesia using one of the following needles: Sprotte G24, Spinocan G27 or Atraucan G26. The incidence of insufficient or failed analgesia and difficulties handling the needles were noted. Patients were interviewed within three weeks after anaesthesia so as to establish the incidence of postoperative complications including post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Headache was noted in 63 patients of which 33 (16.8%) were of PDPH type. The Sprotte needle caused significantly fewer cases of PDPH (Sprotte: 8.1%; Spinocan: 19.7; Atraucan: 21.7%. p < 0.05). Furthermore a significantly lower incidence of insufficient analgesia was observed with the Sprotte needle (0% versus 12.1% with the Spinocan and 11.6% with the Atraucan, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the Sprotte needle had the best profile with respect to PDPH and successful analgesia. This confirms the importance of the needle tip design.