A lumbar puncture surgery is carried out in the lumbar area of the lower back. During this surgery, a needle is inserted between two bones of the lumbar vertebrae to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and medulla spinalis. This fluid helps in protecting them from injury. It generally takes thirty to forty five minutes for the whole process.

This process is very useful in diagnosing serious infections, such as meningitis, central nervous system diseases. It is also used to detect Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis, or cancers of the brain or spinal cord. In certain cases, healthcare experts use lumbar punctures to inject anesthetic medications or chemotherapy drugs into the CSF. Lumbar puncture is a minimally invasive procedure and it is also known as a spinal tap.

Why is it Performed?

Healthcare experts recommend spinal taps for various reasons. It may be use to check different signs of medical condition like:

Dementia
Meningitis
Myelitis
Inflammation of the brain tissue
Autoimmune issues
Cancers that affect spinal cord, brain or blood
Bleeding around brain
Demyelinating diseases

Risk Factors of Lumbar Puncture

This process carries some risks and possible issues.

Headache
Bleeding
Infections
Tingling
Herniation
Allergic reaction to the drug

Complications of Lumbar Puncture

This medical procedure involves the spinal cord and brain, the following complications may occur:

Headaches: Around 25% of people experience a headache after a lumbar puncture. It can start hours or days after the activity. Patients can feel worse when sitting or standing. They can also feel better when lying down.
Back Pain: Sometimes patients may experience lower back pain or tenderness after the surgery. The pain may pass down toward their legs.
Bleeding: It can occur near the puncture area or in the spinal canal.
Infection: This can occur where the needle was inserted.
Nerve Damage: Nerve irritation can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in legs. It can also cause long-term pain or loss of feeling in arms or legs.
Brainstem Herniation: It occurs when increased pressure causes the brain tissue to shift from one part of the brain to another. This condition needs immediate medical attention. It is also a dangerous condition.

Procedure of Lumbar Puncture Treatment

This is a diagnostic procedure involving the insertion of a thin needle into the spinal canal in the lower back. Surgeons collect cerebrospinal fluid and inject medications. It is also used to detect various infection and cancer cells. Here is a detailed overview:

Preparation:
- The patient is asked to lie on their side with their knees drawn up in the chest front. This position allows the spine to curve outward.
- A local anesthetic is injected into the lower back to numb the puncture area before inserting the needle.
- This will help to numb the skin and tissues.
Insertion of Needle: A sterile needle is inserted between the two lower vertebrae through the spinal membrane and into the spinal canal. The surgeon may ask the patient to remain still till the process completes.
Collection of CSF: Once the needle is placed in the correct position, then CSF is collected. The pressure within the canal may also be measured. If required, a medication is also injected. At last, the collected fluid is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Removal of Needle: After collecting the sample of CSF, the needle is gently removed. After that, the puncture site is covered with a bandage.
Post-Procedure: The patient is usually asked to lie down for at-least fifteen minutes. In most cases, they are free to go home after the completion of the surgery.
After Surgery Care: After successful completion of the surgery, the patients is required to follow the instructions given below:
- They should drink extra fluids or beverages for the next 24 hours.
- Patients should give complete rest to their body.
- They should follow the instructions given by their healthcare experts.