A syringe adapter to facilitate aspiration at amniocentesis.
BACKGROUND
Syringes were developed for injection, not aspiration. We describe an adapter that attaches to a standard syringe and aspirates by advancement rather than withdrawal.


METHODS
The adapter consists of a syringe barrel extension and an attachable finger grip. The adapter attached to a standard syringe allows aspiration by advancement rather than withdrawal, with the same hand motion used as with injection.


RESULTS
In a comparison of timed in vitro fluid aspiration by 10 practitioners, mean times for aspiration of 15 mL were 32.4 seconds (range 24-45) with standard technique and 25.3 seconds (range 24-30) with the adapted syringe (P < .003, paired t test). Thirteen of 14 physicians who used the adapted syringe in vivo reported that much less effort was required, and one physician reported that a little less effort was required. Overall, eight practitioners reported that the adapted syringe made amniocentesis much easier and six found no difference between the two devices.


CONCLUSIONS
This adapter converts a standard syringe to one permitting aspiration by advancement rather than withdrawal. Practitioner feedback was positive with regard to ease of use, degree of effort, and overall satisfaction.
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jrobinson@bics.bwh.harvard.edu
J N
JN
Robinson
H H
HH
Loeffler
E R
ER
Norwitz
D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013594:Syringes