Thoracentesis or Pleural Tap is the procedure done when there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, this fluid may lead to breath difficulties.
The thoracentesis is done in order to drain the fluid around the lungs and analyse it to figure out the cause of the accumulation.
There are several cases which leads to an excessive pleural fluids, for example :
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Lung infections
- Chronic lung diseases
The procedure of Thoracentesis:
Its preferred to make an ultrasound in order to ascertain the area where the needle will go, after that the patient should sit on a chair or lay down on a table, and the selected area will be cleaned and the doctor will insert a needle or a tube in the midaxillary line in the eighth, ninth or tenth intercostal space.
After all fluid is drained, the needle site should be covered with a bandage.
Risks:
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Pneumothorax
- Infections