Overview
Thoracentesis (also called pleural tap) is a procedure to drain fluid that has accumulated between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion). For mesothelioma patients, this is often one of the first procedures performed, both for diagnosis and symptom relief.
Who May Be a Candidate
- Patients with pleural effusion causing symptoms
- Diagnostic evaluation of pleural fluid
- Those needing quick symptom relief
- Patients too ill for more invasive procedures
How It Works
A needle is inserted through the chest wall into the pleural space, and fluid is drained using a syringe or vacuum bottle. The procedure is usually guided by ultrasound for safety.
Procedure Steps
- Local anesthetic applied to chest wall
- Ultrasound used to locate fluid
- Needle inserted between ribs into pleural space
- Fluid drained (usually 1-1.5 liters maximum)
- Needle removed and bandage applied
- Fluid sent for analysis
Benefits
- Immediate relief from breathlessness
- Provides fluid for diagnostic testing
- Minimally invasive
- Can be performed at bedside or outpatient
- Low risk procedure
Risks & Side Effects
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Re-expansion pulmonary edema (rare)
- Fluid typically reaccumulates
Recovery
No significant recovery time needed. Patients often feel immediate improvement in breathing. Can resume normal activities same day. Chest X-ray may be performed afterward to check for complications.
Expected Outcomes
Provides quick symptom relief but does not treat the underlying disease. Fluid typically reaccumulates within weeks to months, requiring repeat procedures or pleurodesis.
Finding Treatment
This procedure is typically performed at specialized mesothelioma treatment centers with experienced surgical teams. Consulting with a mesothelioma specialist is the first step in determining if this treatment is appropriate for your situation.