[Sub-arachnoid anesthesia with Sprotte and Whitacre types atraumatic needles in cesarean section].

Fifty patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anaesthesia received hyperbaric 1% bupivacaine at the L1-L2-, L2-L3 or L3-L4 interspace. Intrathecal injection was performed with a 24 gauge Sprotte needle in 35 patients and a 25 gauge Whitacre needle in 15. Successful anaesthesia was obtained in 49 patients (98%). Fluid loading with 1 litre of crystalloid before spinal block was used for prophylaxis of hypotension. 36 patients (72%) received ephedrine iv after spinal injection. All newborns were in good condition (Apgar score greater than or equal to 9). No post-spinal headache was reported. Our experience confirms the smaller incidence of headache with the pencil point needles compared with conventional needles, the effectiveness of the method and the pleasurableness of the procedure for the mothers.