•  Needles (21–25G) and syringes (2–10 ml) for fine-needle sampling of cutaneous and subcutaneous masses with/without aspiration.

•  Cotton swabs, ideally dampened with saline, for swab sampling.

•  Glass slides, possibly with frosted end for ease of labelling and identification.

•  Plain and EDTA tubes for fluid specimens (e.g. cystic, fluid-filled lesions, abscesses, etc.) for culture and cytology, respectively. The EDTA sample is not suitable for culture, due to its bacteriostatic effect.

•  Slide holders to protect smears from breakage when sent to an external laboratory for evaluation.

•  Advantages
Suitable for sampling most skin lesions, especially those with poor tendency to exfoliate (e.g. mesenchymal proliferations).

•  Disadvantages
The excessive negative pressure applied during the process may cause cellular damage, especially of more fragile cell types (e.g. lymphoid cells). Excessive haemodilution of the sample may also occur.

•  Technique
Connect the needle to the syringe. Insert the needle within the mass. Apply suction and redirect the needle multiple times. Discontinue suction before withdrawal. Detach the syringe and draw in some air. Reattach the syringe to needle and expel the sampled material on to labelled glass slides.

•  Advantages
Suitable for sampling skin lesions with good tendency to exfoliate. This technique better preserves the morphology of fragile cells and minimizes blood contamination.

•  Disadvantages
May yield an insufficient cell harvest from poorly exfoliative masses.

•  Technique
Insert the needle within the mass and re-direct it multiple times in different areas of the lesion. Withdraw the needle, attach the syringe containing some air and expel the material on to labelled glass slides.