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tips and tricks

Streamlined Knee Aspiration

Bernard Seguin, MD Ottawa

To simplify knee aspiration (after a standard knee prep), use a regular vacuum tube with an adapter and a 21-gauge needle supplied by your laboratory. By switching tubes, you can remove as much fluid or blood as needed as well as a sample for cell count, culture, or crystal analysis if these are called for. Not having to change the syringe minimizes patient discomfort.