Retractable-barb needle for breast lesion localization: use in 60 cases.

A needle system with a retractable barb was developed for localization of nonpalpable breast lesions. The system can be repositioned without major adjustments and strongly anchors to breast tissue, eliminating failure due to dislodgment or transection of the localizing wire. Its use may necessitate fewer confirmatory radiographs, resulting in decreased radiation exposure. In addition, the needle can be retracted during surgery, to ease extraction of the specimen.