Post-dural puncture headaches (PDPH) continue to plague the patient experience, and thus the ability of healthcare providers to offer the highest quality of care possible. As a well-known complication following lumbar punctures and spinal anesthesia, medical institutions have long looked for a solution. Research has shown that both the needle size and needle shape play an integral role in reducing or eliminating the onset of PDPH.
That’s where we come in. IMD Corp proudly offers products proven to be extremely effective at reducing PDPH. For more than 30 years medical institutions have relied on our product lines, as we work hand in hand with doctors across the globe. While our pursuit to continually improve our needle design will never cease, the Gertie Marx atraumatic spinal needle has a less than 1 percent occurrence of PDPH when administered with proper technique.
Why the Gertie Marx needle?
Gertie Marx spinal needles improve the patient experience dramatically. Post dural puncture headache symptoms range in both type and severity. From bilateral frontal or occipital headaches to neck pain and hearing loss, many note that their PDPH symptoms worsen when standing or sitting. The Gertie Marx spinal needle was developed to address these exact issues.
Some of the most notable benefits of the Gertie Marx needles include:
The Widest Range of Needle Sizes
With the widest range of needle sizes available, our Gertie Marx spinal needles are perfectly designed for patients of every size – from pediatrics through bariatrics. The spinal needles are available in widths from 22G to 27G and in lengths from 50mm to 215mm (2” to 8.5”).
Superior Design for Unmatched Precision and Control
The Gertie Marx spinal needle boasts a unique, distinct “pop” when the dura is penetrated, which sets the standard for dramatically improving first time results. In fact, the Gertie Marx spinal needle is the only patented tip in the United States.
In addition, the atraumatic needle has thin walls and is engineered to fit the dural space perfectly, allowing for fast flash of CSF to confirm needle placement. These features set the Gertie Marx spinal needle apart:
2.5x magnification window on crystal clear hub
360 degree rotating stylet cap that saves time when repeated withdrawal and reinsertion of stylet is required
Two side port indicators on the needle hub and introducer that identify the position of the eye of the needle
IMD’s spinal needles are designed to provide a simple and effective way to dramatically reduce PDPH.
What do the spinal needle studies say?
As more and more information is gathered regarding post-dural puncture headaches, IMD spinal needles continue to emerge as the leader in needle design. Doctors across the globe agree that the Gertie Marx atraumatic needle is unmatched when administered with proper technique. As studies emerge highlighting the effectiveness of these spinal needles, patients are able to enjoy the benefits of significant reduction in spinal headaches.
For example, in the study Spinal Headaches After Myelograms: Comparison of Needle Types, the objective was to compare traditional bevel-tip end-hole spinal needles and pencil-point-tip side-hole needles for the incidence, severity, and duration of spinal headaches in subject who had myelograms. The conclusion found a significant reduction in spinal headaches after myelograms when using the pencil-point-tip side-hole needle.
In this study, the participants used both a pencil-point Sprotte bevel and a pencil-point Gertie Marx. The Gertie Marx needle, with a smaller side hole closer to the tip than the Sprotte, showed a trend for less frequent spinal headaches.
Additionally, a study entitled A comparison of the 24-gauge Sprotte and Gertie Marx spinal needles for combined spinal-epidural analgesia during labor, was designed to test whether a longer needle with a shorter side port (Gertie Marx needle; 124 mm long) would eliminate failures to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared with the needle we had used previously (Sprotte needle; 120 mm long).
The results were as follows:
Failure to obtain CSF occurred six times in the Sprotte group compared with none in the Gertie Marx group (P < 0.05)
In all six failures in the Sprotte group, the Gertie Marx needle subsequently proved successful in obtaining CSF
There were no differences in pain scores between the groups
All in all, this study made clear that the extra length of the 124-mm Gertie Marx needle resulted in a higher success rate for obtaining CSF when used in the CSE technique.
Does it pay to invest in Gertie Marx spinal needles?
So, what does this all mean from a cost-benefit standpoint? Does it make sense to spend the extra money to stock up on superior needles versus using a Quinke needle or other less expensive spinal needle?
The cost of using the more expensive needles must be weighed against the cost of extended hospital stays, epidural blood patch injections and medication to treat post dural puncture headaches.
The answer is simple: the Gertie Marx needle allows for higher success rates, better medical care, and, most importantly, a superior patient experience. We are currently stocked and ready to ship within 24 hours. Contact us today to learn more!
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