Several reports have indicated that there are fewer postoperative complications after using a smaller spinal needle in young patients. However, no comparative report has been issued on the incidences of postoperative complications after using differently sized spinal needles for spinal anesthesia in elderly patients. Here, we compared a 22 G Quincke needle with a 25 G Quincke needle in elderly patients and investigated postoperative complications.

Fifty patients, aged over 60 years presented for an elective urological operation. Patients were randomized into two groups to receive spinal anesthetics using a 22 G Quincke needle (group L) or a 25 G Quincke needle (group S). The incidences of postdural puncture headache (PDPH), backaches, and the outcomes of spinal anesthesia were compared between the two groups.

Two patients in group L and one in group S developed PDPH postoperatively with no significant statistical difference between the two groups. Four patients suffered backache in group L and two in group S again without significance. But the number of puncture attempts was significantly higher in group S.

In conclusion, postoperative complications were similar for both groups. However, spinal anesthesia was performed more easily when using a larger spinal needle. Therefore, we recommend that a larger spinal needle be used when difficult spinal anesthesia is anticipated in elderly patients.