[Disposable needles for epidural anaesthesia - basic requirements (author's transl)].

Disposable needles for epidural single-shot and catheter techniques are being marketed increasingly by different firms. As a result of our experience, the basic requirements of each of the component parts in the needle assembly are outlined. It is clear that the materials used to date are failing in some requirements and we assume that the manufactures have possibly not taken account of the suggestions of practicing anaesthesists.