None listed
Conditions
Interventions
This is a double blind, randomised crossover trial. A single experienced doctor will perform all of the lumbar punctures (LP) under general anaesthesia. A standard LP needle (PORTLAND) will be used. Orientation of the bevel will be parallel to the long axis of the dural fibres. The doctor cannot be blinded to the needle type. All children will be given a sequence of 4 LP's during their treatment for cancer. Twice with each of the 22g and 25g LP needles. Following each procedure, parents will be
This is a double blind, randomised crossover trial. A single experienced doctor will perform all of the lumbar punctures (LP) under general anaesthesia. A standard LP needle (PORTLAND) will be used. Orientation of the bevel will be parallel to the long axis of the dural fibres. The doctor cannot be blinded to the needle type. All children will be given a sequence of 4 LP's during their treatment for cancer. Twice with each of the 22g and 25g LP needles. Following each procedure, parents will be given a 1 page questionnaire by the RA. The same RA will phone interview them on days 1, 3, and 7 with the same questions. On day 7 more detailed questions will be asked if the patient experiences any headache. These questions will look into issues such as, timing of headache, analgesia required and functional impact on the family.
Sponsors
None
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
4 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children having LP's as standard treatment for malignancies, requiring general anaesthesia, in the day surgery unit.
Exclusion criteria
Families requiring interpreters. Patients requiring bone marrow aspirate and trephines on the same day. Unavailability of designated experienced doctor. Patients requiring emergency LP's in other anaesthetising locations.Patients with existing lumbar puncture headaches.
Outcome results
None listed