Comparison of 25 Gauge Whitacre and Quincke
Point Spinal Needles in Cesarean Section
Hintong T.,M.D.,Mankong N.,M.D.,Soopachokechiwatana S.,M.D.,Panjasawadwong
Y.,M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiangmai
University, Chiangmai 50200
This prospective study was designed
to compare the ease of use and incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) using
25 gauge Whitacre and Quincke type spinal needles in 200 parturients undergoing
elective cesarean section. The needle was assigned in a random manner : group I,
25 G Whitacre ( n = 100 ); group II, 25 G Quincke ( n = 100 ). Each patient was assessed
daily following the operation by an investigator blinded to the needle used. An
inability to insert the Quincke needle occurred in 2 patients in group II. Therefore,
100 patients in group I and 98 patients in group II completed the study. Easy use
of the needle which was defined by 1 or 2 needle insertions, "pop" sensation
on dural puncture and rapid appearance of cerebrospinal fluid with easy aspiration
was found by large number of the anesthetists who used the Whitacre needles ( p
= 0.00 ) and not related to their experience. Only one patient ( 1.0% ) in the Whitacre
group developed PDPH compared with 9 patients ( 9.2% ) in the Quincke group ( p
< 0.01 ). We conclude that 25 G Whitacre needle for spinal anesthesia in cesarean
section is easy to use and associated with a low incidence of PDPH.