Pleural Tapping
Thoracentesis, also known as a pleural tap, is a procedure done when there’s too much fluid in the chest pleural space (a potential space around your lungs- that is between the lungs and the chest wall). This allows a pleural fluid analysis to be performed in the laboratory to figure out the cause of fluid accumulation around one or both of the lungs and also gives therapeutic relief to the patient in terms of relieving labored breathing. This space normally contains approximately 4 teaspoons of fluid.
Some conditions can cause more fluid to enter this space. These conditions include:
- cancer tumors
- pneumonia or other lung infection
- congestive heart failure
- chronic lung diseases
In this procedure, a fine needle is placed into the lung cavity to drain out fluid under ultrasound guidance and local anesthesia cover.
If the purpose is diagnostic, small amount of fluid is aspirated and large amount is withdrawn if the purpose is therapeutic.
Indications
To take out excess of fluid for
- Cause of disease
- Temporary or permanent relief
Before Procedure
- Book prior appointment
- Visit us in OPD (10 am-5pm) after breakfast and take usual prescribed medicines.
- Referring Doctor prescription, previous lab results (*PT/INR and CBC), imaging (CT/PET-CT/USG/MRI).
- If you are on blood thinner like Aspirin, clopidogrel or any oral/injectable anticoagulant like heparin, inform during appointment.
- One accompanying person
- Need to sign a consent form for procedure to ensure that you have understood the potential risks associated with the procedure.
Approx. Stay in hospital
We have very fast and competent working team (Consultant, assistant nurse and ward assistant) which provide you comfortable atmosphere and ease your nerves. Usual time of stay is around two hours.
Complications:
These are very safe procedure with minor (<1%) complication done under local anesthesia. You may have minor breathing problem for which we provide oxygen support.
A small potential risk of bleeding or pneumothorax (air filling the pleural space) deos exist but is usually encountered in <1% of patients and is inconsequential in most cases, requiring just observation and monitoring.
Results
Sample fluid is sent for routine exam and culture of microorganism. Routine report takes 24 hrs. and culture can take long time (up to 3 days).