Ma et al reported equations for estimating the length of a lumbar puncture needle to use for the L3-L4 interspace. The authors are from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan.
Patient selection: Taiwanese adults from 20 to 89 years of age
Parameters:
(1) weight in kilograms
(2) height in centimeters
(3) body mass index in kg per square meter
For males:
length of needle in cm =
= (0.182 * (BMI)) + 1.272
For females:
length of needle in cm =
= (0.067 * (body weight)) + 1.682
Other equation:
length of needle in cm =
= (0.1 * (weight) / (height in meters)) + 1.731
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