Atraumatic Sprotte needle reduces the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headaches

Post-lumbar puncture headache (PLPH) is best explained by spinal fluid leakage due to delayed closure of a dural defect. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, taking into consideration all known methodological problems, the authors compared the incidence of PLPH using the "atraumatic" Sprotte needle vs the "traumatic" Quincke needle. Of the 230 patients included in the final analysis, 24.4% of patients in the "traumatic" group developed PLPH, whereas only 12.2% of patients in the "atraumatic" group did (p < 0.05). Therefore, use of the "atraumatic" Sprotte needle for lumbar puncture is recommended.