Spinal Needle
A long, fine-gauge hollow needle with a removable stylet (obturator). A common length is 3 in; gauges run from 18 for surgical use to 24-29 for anesthesia. Some have a blunt bevel, and some a pencil-point tip with side holes.
Primary uses
What this instrument is on the table to do.
Anesthesia uses it to inject into the subarachnoid space for spinal anesthesia. In the surgical field it is used as a marker and guide: in spine surgery a metal spinal needle is placed in the proposed disc space and an x-ray is taken to confirm the level; in arthroscopy an 18-gauge spinal needle is used to find portal sites, distend the joint with saline, or pass sutures.
Sizes & variants
The lengths, angles and patterns it comes in.
Fine-gauge 3-in needle for spinal anesthesia; 24-26 gauge pencil-point and 25-29 gauge long needles for combined spinal-epidural; 18 gauge in arthroscopy.
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- Cautions, inspection checks, how to pass it, and every operation it is laid out for
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