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A 47-year-old male asked:

Is thoracentesis a safe procedure for 87 year old male. little fluid build up in lungs. lung doctor and care team debating lung doctor in hospital told me its coming down with meds not really needed. but hospital doctor wants to do it to expedite?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Clarence Grim
Dr. Clarence Grimanswered
Endocrinology 59 years experience
Tough to assess "safeness" without seeing you friend. "Medicine is not easy" I was once told early in my career. Now you can see why. I would request a meeting with the Dr. in charge. There are pros and cons for both approaches. Discuss with them and patient if you are part of his care folks.
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Answered Nov 10, 2021
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Dr. Hiep Le
Dr. Hiep Leanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 44 years experience
If the etiology of effusion is known and it does not cause symptoms, thoracentesis is not necessary. However, if doctor needs the fluid sample for an accurate diagnosis then treatment, it needs to be done. The safety depends on who does the procedure and how big the effusion is. Risk is higher if the effusion is small. If it is just a little, it should not be done technically.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Answered Nov 10, 2021
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Last updated Nov 10, 2021

Found in:

Male health›Premature birth›Thoracentesis

People also asked

87 year old male in hospital getting better with fluid build up. Latest chest X-ray showing - improved aeration of left lung base. Small left plural effusion. Now does a thoracentesis necessary for this? Lung doc says may be not. But hospital prefers?
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87 year old male moderate amount of fluid build up in lungs. Hospital suggesting to do procedure to take it out in radiology Dept. Probably thoracentesis. Is it okay to do or follow up with pulmonary or ent?
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87 yr old male after thoracentesis got blood in chest. Hospital put chest tube. So far blood is coming out but doc saying not enough blood to do surgery. How long it takes for this blood to stop provided the injury from thoracentesis heals?
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Is 300 ML of lung fluid extraction is small or moderate amount as 87 yr old patient was done Thoracentesis in hospital. Was it needed. ?Hospital was saying that fluid level was staying same even with Lasix. But question is whether it was necessary ?
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87 year old male , thoracentesis done , chest tube removed. Now hospital is ok to discharge .Latest chest X-ray-1. Suspect small left pneumothorax.2. Left lower lobe opacity increased compared to prior exam.3. Small left pleural effusion. Its Ok?
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