Thoracentesis indications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaik Aisha sultana, [3]

Indications

The indications of Thoracocentesis can be divide into

Diagnostic-

• When thoracocentesis is done to take out small amount of pleural fluid for testing, to establish the cause of the disease.
• The most common causes of pleural effusions are cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and recent surgery. In countries where tuberculosis is common, this is also a common cause of pleural effusions.

Therapeutic-

• When thoracocentesis is done to remove large amount of pleural fluid or air (in pneumothorax), so as to improve patient's comfort and lung function.
• When patient's lung function is compromised due to large pneumothorax, or pleural effusion or hemothorax , then this procedure is usually replaced with tube thoracostomy, the placement of a large tube in the pleural space.