Atraumatic Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture - new advice from EBPB (May 2021)
The EBPB have issued advice and an evidence review for the use of atraumatic needles in diagnostic lumbar puncture (DLP).
The EBPB concluded that there was a clear clinical benefit to using atraumatic needles for DLP, through a reduction of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). Economic analysis suggests that despite the increased cost of atraumatic needles, cost savings could be achieved through PDPH reduction. The EBPB agreed that even without the potential for cost savings, patients would still benefit from this change in needle design.
The full statement and evidence review are available on the EBPB pages.