Randomised controlled trial of atraumatic versus standard needles for diagnostic lumbar puncture.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To compare the ease of use of atraumatic needles with standard needles for diagnostic lumbar puncture and the incidence of headache after their use. DESIGN:Double blind, randomised controlled trial. SETTING:Investigation ward of a neurology unit in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS:116 patients requiring elective diagnostic lumbar puncture. INTERVENTIONS:Standardised protocol for lumbar puncture with 20 gauge atraumatic or standard needles. OUTCOME MEASURES:The primary end point was intention to treat analysis of incidence of moderate to severe headache, assessed at one week by telephone interview. Secondary end points were incidence of headache at one week analysed by needle type, ease of use by operator according to a visual analogue scale, incidence of backache, and failure

SUBMITTER: Thomas SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27505 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature