Regional anesthesia
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Regional anesthesia · Jul 1993
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAtraucan: a new needle for spinal anesthesia.
Atraucan 26-gauge spinal needles have a tip designed to make a small linear cut (as opposed to a V-shaped cut) in the dura mater. The cut is shorter than the outside diameter of the needle and is dilated as the needle passes through the dura. The needle is used with a 20-gauge introducer. In vitro, it causes less leakage of cerebrospinal fluid than Quincke 26-gauge or Sprotte 24-gauge needles. This study was designed to test the ease of use and any damage caused to the needle tip during lumbar dural puncture. ⋯ The Atraucan needle is easy to use and has a high success rate in identifying the subarachnoid space. Lumbar dural puncture causes minimal damage to the tip. The incidence of PDPH is low, but a larger comparative study needs to be performed.