LAUSR

Abstract Background and objectives To investigate the differences in the number of squamous epithelial cells carried to the spinal canal by three different types of spinal needle tip of the same size. Methods Patients were allocated into three groups (Group I, Group II, Group III). Spinal anesthesia was administered to Group I ( n  = 50) using a 25G Quincke needle, to Group II ( n  = 50) using a 25G pencil point spinal needle, and to Group III ( n  = 50) using a non-cutting atraumatic needle with special bending. The first and third drops of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples were taken from each patient and each drop was placed on a slide for cytological examination. Nucleated and non-nucleated squamous epithelial cells on the smear preparations were counted. Results There was statistically significant difference between the groups in respect to the number of squamous epithelial cells in the first drop ( p p  > 0.05 for each group). Conclusions In this study of different needle tips, it was seen that with atraumatic needle with special bending a significantly smaller number of cells were transported when compared to the Quincke tip needles, and with pencil point needles.