High success rate and low incidence of headache and neurological symptoms with two spinal needle designs in children

Background: In children, only a few trials have evaluated the use of spinal needles with special tip designs. In this study, we compared the success rate and incidence of post-dural puncture complaints of two small-gauge spinal needle designs used in children undergoing spinal anaesthesia (SA). Methods: Three hundred and three children aged 9 months to 17 years presenting for subumbilical surgery were randomly assigned to have a 26G Atraucan (n = 156) or 27G Whitacre (n = 147) spinal needle for SA. The number of attempts to obtain successful cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) return and the success rate of SA were recorded. The first week of recovery was recorded by a diary. Results: Both groups had a similar one-attempt success rate: 80% in the Atraucan group and 81% in the Whitacre group. Failure to obtain CSF occurred in one patient in the Atraucan group and in two patients in the Whitacre group. Paraesthesia was observed more commonly in the Whitacre group (10%) than in the Atraucan group (2%) (P = 0.004). The success rate of SA was 96%, with no differences between the two needles; one child was given general anaesthesia and 11 children (3%) a single dose of supplemental analgesia for the skin incision. Forty-one children (15%) developed a headache, 13 of which were classified as post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), seven cases (5%) in the Atraucan group and six (4%) in the Whitacre group; none of the children required a blood patch. Fifteen children (10%) in the Atraucan group and nine (7%) in the Whitacre group developed low back pain. Two children (1%) in the Atraucan group and four (3%) in the Whitacre group developed transient neurological symptoms (TNSs). Conclusions: Both needles were associated with a high success rate and a low incidence of complaints.