A lead introducer includes an integrated sheath/needle including a splittable sheath configured to split a into a first portion and a second portion, a needle having a length and a proximal end region, and a hub coupled to the proximal end regions of the splittable sheath and the needle and configured to split into a first portion and a second portion. The needle is permanently attached to either the first portion of the hub or the first portion of the splittable sheath (or both) so that when the hub is split into the first and second portions, the needle remains attached to the first portion of the hub or the first portion of the splittable sheath.
