I read the recent article by Garg,(1) in which the author described the use of a spinal needle stylet to replace a faulty intravenous cannula. The technique is useful; however, there are some concerns. We have tried the stylet of a 26-G spinal needle for the exchange of a 24-G cannula in ten paediatric patients and have the following observations to make. The exchange was successful in only one...

BACKGROUND The incidence of transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) after spinal anesthesia with lidocaine is reported as high as 40%. OBJECTIVES This prospective clinical trial was designed to determine the incidence of TNS in patients who underwent spinal anesthesia with two different needles, in two different surgical positions. PATIENTS AND METHODS The present randomized clinical trial was ...

Slow resolution of block and incidence of side effects deter many practitioners from choosing spinal anesthesia for out-patient surgical procedures. Some studies suggest that controlling bevel or side port orientation of a spinal needle during anesthetic injection can affect occurrence of side effects and time to block resolution. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of vary...

BACKGROUND/AIM Postdural puncture backache (PDPB) is the most frequent complaint after spinal anesthesia. In the literature its importance is generally overshadowed by postdural puncture headache. We studied two different kinds of spinal anesthesia needles to compare their technical handling capacities and incidences of PDPB. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data of 256 pregnant female patients undergoi...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The aim was to compare visibility of the spinal space in sitting and lateral positions, number of attempts, spinal needle depth, skin-dura mater distance and the possible complications; in application of spinal anesthesia, using ultrasound in pregnant patients scheduled to receive elective cesarean operations. METHODS The study was conducted prospective-randomly after...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Skin fragments during lumbar punctures may develop intraspinal epidermoid tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of epithelial cells that reflow along with the fi rst and third drops of CSF of patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. METHODS Samples of the fi rst and third drops of cerebrospinal fluid were collected from 39 adult patients undergoi...

BACKGROUND/AIM Several combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia techniques have been described. This study was designed to compare the single space ("needle-through-needle") technique (SST) and the double distant space technique (DDS) with regards to the time needed for the procedure, patient discomfort during the procedure and patient's preference technique. METHODS This prospective, random...

In this retrospective study, the question was raised and answered whether the rate of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) after continuous spinal anesthesia with a 28G microcatheter varies using a Quincke or a Sprotte needle. The medical records of all patients with allogenic joint replacement of the knee or hip or arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint undergoing continuous spinal anesthesia wi...