Scanning electron microscopic examination of resterilized 29-gauge spinal needles

Abstract

THe cause of postdural puncture headache is a persistent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the puncture hole created in the dura. For this reason, smaller needles have been adopted for use in spinal anesthesia. The smallest commercially available needles today, 29-gauge (Becton Dickinson, Rutherford, NJ), are recommended to be resterilized and re-used several times. We determined whether these needles would withstand multiple use and difficult cleaning processes.