Phantom Study of a New Laser-Etched Needle for Improving Visibility During Ultrasonography-Guided Lumbar Medial Branch Access With Novices.
10.5535/arm.2016.40.4.575
- Author:
Jung Wook PARK
1
;
Min Woo CHEON
;
Min Hong LEE
Author Information
1. Topteam Rehabilitation Clinic, Gwangju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Zygapophyseal joint;
Ultrasonography;
Needles;
Radiologic phantoms;
Injections
- MeSH:
Humans;
Needles*;
Needlestick Injuries;
Observational Study;
Phantoms, Imaging;
Prospective Studies;
Rehabilitation;
Spine;
Students, Medical;
Ultrasonography;
Zygapophyseal Joint
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2016;40(4):575-582
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the visibility and procedural parameters between a standard spinal needle and a new laser-etched needle (LEN) in real-time ultrasonography guided lumbar medial branch access in a phantom of the lumbosacral spine. METHODS: We conducted a prospective single-blinded observational study at a rehabilitation medicine center. A new model of LEN was manufactured with a standard 22-gauge spinal needle and a laser etching machine. Thirty-two inexperienced polyclinic medical students performed ultrasonography-guided lumbar medial branch access using both a standard spinal needle and a LEN with scanning protocol. The outcomes included needle visibility score, needle elapsed time, first-pass success rate, and number of needle sticks. RESULTS: The LEN received significantly better visibility scores and shorter needle elapsed time compared to the standard spinal needle. First-pass success rate and the number of needle sticks were not significantly different between needles. CONCLUSION: A new LEN is expected to offer better visibility and enable inexperienced users to perform an ultrasonography-guided lumbar medial branch block more quickly. However, further study of variables may be necessary for clinical application.
