Diagnostic and therapeutic lumbar puncture performed safely and efficiently with a thin blunt needle

The risk of postdural puncture headache following lumbar puncture can be reduced by choosing a blunt spinal needle or by using a smaller needle diameter. Reports indicate that lumbar puncture practiced outside of the anaesthetic discipline does not adhere to the current level of evidence. To examine the practice among haematologists in Denmark, we performed a national survey. In addition, we analysed the flow rate of a blunt 27-gauge (0.4 mm) spinal needle typically used for spinal anaesthesia by timing the tap duration of a diagnostic lumbar puncture.