Spinal needle damage during routine clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Medical Device Engineering
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Spinal anesthesia involves needle insertion, with potential for tip damage.
• Needle damage could affect block performance and patient safety.
• Factors like bone impact, multiple attempts, and introducer use are suspected causes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate spinal needle tip damage during anesthesia.
• To identify factors contributing to needle damage.
• To evaluate the role of introducers in preventing damage.

Main Methods:

• Examined 222 used spinal needles from five hospitals under light microscopy.
• Collected data on bone impact and number of attempts via questionnaire.
• Compared damage rates between needles used with integral and alternative introducers.

Main Results:

• 36 out of 222 (16.2%) used needles showed damage; control needles were undamaged.
• No significant difference in damage related to bone impact or number of attempts.
• Pajunk 24G Sprotte needles with integral introducers had significantly less damage.

Conclusions:

• Spinal needle tip damage is infrequent but occurs.
• Bone impact and multiple attempts are not primary causes of damage.
• Integral introducers, particularly with Pajunk 24G Sprotte needles, mitigate damage risk.