a surgical needle extractor is provided which has a chuck including a penetration portion for penetrating between the claws of a surgical needle . the chuck also has an actuated piece pivotable with respect to the penetration portion of the chuck . the extractor includes a handle to which the chuck is releasably attached . the handle includes pivoting means for pivoting the actuated piece with respect to the penetration portion such that when the penetration portion is inserted between the needle claws , the penetration portion and the actuated piece cooperate to remove the needle . only the chuck touches the patient &# 39 ; s skin , and only the handle is touched by the operator . accordingly , the handle need not be sterilized each time before use and the chuck is disposable . the actuating rod of the handle is adapted to be hand - operated . the extractor can further include means for releasing the chuck from the handle when a new chuck is desired to be attached to the handle . both the chuck and the handle can be formed as unitary members .