ABSTRACT
Two types of intradural needles, 25 gauge (Qincke bevel) and 24 gauge (Sprotte type bevel) in 535 intradural anaesthesias were compared. Sprotte type needle is a modification of the Withacre needle. Postspinal total headache had an incidence of 8.9%, being significantly less (p less than 0.01) with the Sprotte needles (4.9 versus 11.8%). Spinal headache were significantly more frequent in women and in patients with an age less than 40 years, and there was no significance between the two needles when patients were older than forty. We conclude that Sprotte bevel needle decreases significatively the incidence of post-puncture headache if the patients are younger than forty, but it is an important fact that the different factors involved: age, sex and needle type, might be taken into account when we need conclusions to be drawn.
