Pleural Tapping - Best Interventional Pulmonologist in Indore
Pleural Tapping
Pleural tapping, also known as thoracentesis, is a medical procedure used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall. It is both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.
How Pleural Tapping Is Performed
- Preparation: The patient may sit upright, leaning slightly forward over a table or supported by pillows. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area.
- Procedure: A sterile needle or catheter is inserted through the chest wall into the pleural space. Fluid or air is aspirated using a syringe or drainage system. In cases of therapeutic drainage, a larger volume of fluid may be removed.
- Post-Procedure: The puncture site is covered with a dressing. A chest X-ray may be done to check for complications, such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Advantages
Provides quick symptom relief for breathlessness caused by pleural effusion.
Aids in diagnosing underlying conditions through pleural fluid analysis.
Risks and Complications
Pain or discomfort at the insertion site.
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) due to accidental lung puncture.
Bleeding or infection (rare).
Rarely, fluid reaccumulation leading to repeated procedures.
Conditions Where Pleural Tapping Is Commonly Used
Pleural effusion due to infections, cancer, or systemic diseases.
Pneumothorax (to remove air).
Empyema (pus in the pleural space).
