A Randomized Double Blind Study to Find the Incidence of Post Dural Puncture Headache Using Quincke and Whitacre Needles

The objectives of this study is to find the incidence of post dural puncture headache(PDPH) while using traumatic(Quincke) and atraumatic(Whitacre) needles for spinal anaesthesia . A prospective randomized double blind study in 100 ASA 1 and 2 patients undergoing lumbar subarachnoid block for elective inguinal hernia surgery conducted over 8 months. Lumbar puncture was performed by Anaesthesiologists with more than 5 years clinical experience. The number of attempts at dural puncture and ease of using spinal needle was noted. The incidence of PDPH was assessed upto postoperative day 7. Data could not be analysed using lab tests as the incidence was nil in the Whitacre group. Only 2(4%) incidence of PDPH was reported in the Quincke needle group while there was no incidence in the Whitacre group. 2 spinal anesthesia procedures had to be abandoned in the Whitacre group. It can be concluded that Whitacre needle has less incidence of postdural puncture headache when compared to Quincke needle of comparable bore sizes. Though the Whitacre needle group did not show any incidence of post dural puncture headache, the Quincke group showed only 2 cases out of 50 cases of postdural puncture headache which is not statistically significant.