Modification of a syringe for aspiration biopsy.

To reduce the risk of accidental needle-stick injury during fine-needle aspiration biopsy, a syringe to be used in such procedures was modified. In five cases, a small hole, punctured in the barrel of a syringe above the level to which the plunger is routinely retracted, allowed the syringe to fill with air. The specimen was expressed onto a slide without the necessity of removing and reattaching the needle. This modification reduces the need to handle contaminated needles.