If not, necessary equipment includes the following: Sterile gloves, gown, face mask, and cap Sterile drapes and / or towels Antiseptic solution (eg, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, alcohol wipes) Sterile gauze (eg, 10 cm × 10 cm [4 "× 4"] squares) Local anesthetic (eg, 1% lidocaine without epinephrine, 25 - and 20-gauge needles, 10-mL syringe) Topical anesthetic (standard for children): Needle-free lidocaine gas-injection device, lidocaine - epinephrine - tetracaine (LET) gel or lidocaine - prilocaine cream Spinal needle with stylet: Cutting needle (beveled tip) or noncutting (atraumatic) needle * (pencil-point tip); 20 or 22 * gauge; 9-cm-long for adults, 6 cm for children, 4 cm for infants 4 CSF collection tubes (labeled 1 through 4) for laboratory studies; additional tubes if large-volume CSF collection is needed (eg, 30 to 40 mL) or additional special tests are needed.