Related Experiment Videos
[Less headache following lumbar puncture with the use of an atraumatic needle; double-blind randomized study]
R P Kleyweg1, L I Hertzberger, P A Carbaat
1Merwedeziekenhuis, afd. Neurologie, Dordrecht.
Objective:
To investigate the difference in frequency of headache after lumbar puncture with a standard needle or an atraumatic needle.
Design:
Prospective, randomised double blind study.
Setting:
Department of Neurology, Merwedeziekenhuis, Dordrecht.
Method:
One hundred sequential patients were randomised to lumbar puncture with a 'standard needle' (20 gauge) or an 'atraumatic needle' (pencil point, 22 gauge). The patients were interviewed one week later. Patient and interviewer were unaware of the needle used.
Results:
After puncture with the standard needle 32% of the patients suffered from postlumbar puncture headache, after use of the atraumatic needle 6% (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval of the difference: 0.11-0.40). Postpuncture complaints appeared to be less severe after puncture with the atraumatic needle.
Conclusion:
In comparison with a standard needle, there is significantly less postpuncture headache after lumbar puncture with an atraumatic needle.