Interesting shot.
Cheers Ole
Indeed... an interesting photograph.
It makes us wonder what is behind it ?
Last edited by Antonio Correia; 24th February 2019 at 08:47 PM.
Nice shot. You're reminding me of my previous life.
21 gauge is a big spinal needle. I did mostly OB and therefore used a 25 gauge Whitacre.
Actually that type of needle for spinal anesthetic is not supposed to have a sharp point. The theory behind the rounded point is that it separates the dural fibers rather than cutting them lessening the chance of a headache afterward.
21 gauge needles are typically used for drawing blood but as this has a side port it is more effective as a delivery system, doesn't get clogged upon entry and can be positioned to either go against or with the flow of other fluids.
Local anesthetic spread from a side orifice needle as pictured above is more predictable. When the side orifice needles were introduced the incidence of failed spinal anesthetics went way down.