a retractable syringe , comprising a needle having a tip and a base , a needle collar coupled to the needle , the needle collar including at least one groove disposed in a bottom portion of the needle collar and extending from the portion of the needle collar nearest to the base of the needle toward the tip of the needle , a fitting coupled to the needle collar and including a sealing element disposed between a first portion of the fitting and the needle collar , a barrel unit , the barrel unit designed for coupling to the fitting , a plunger unit having a piston on a first end of the plunger unit , the plunger unit and piston being positioned in the barrel unit , an extractor element coupled to the first end of the plunger and having a proximal end adjacent to the plunger and a distal end , the extractor element designed for coupling to the needle collar and encompassing at least a portion of the at least one groove .