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Thoracentesis
When a patient has fluid around the lungs, sometimes we need to find out what caused it, other times we want to remove the fluid so the patient can breath easier. It takes place under sterile conditions by placing a needle into the chest wall from the back and connecting the needle with a catheter to a suction bottle which collects the fluid. Fluid is then sent for testing.
Dr. Larry Maturani reviewed this
26 year experience in Internal Medicine
Treats
Related questions
A 36-year old asked:
What's a thoracentesis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old male asked about a 90-year old female:
Why did my grandma die after a Thoracentesis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Can thoracentesis be perfomed on a person easily?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
To what extent does a thoracentesis procedure cost?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: thoracentesis?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
How come after my thoracentesis was done I woke up with pain?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
If you have thoracentesis done, what signs will show you that it was an effective procedure?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Can thoracentesis cause pneumonia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
When's a thoracentesis and bronchoscopy performed?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
Does everyone with pleurisy have to have thoracentesis?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
When is a thoracentesis and bronchoscopy usually performed?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Why do they test the fluid from a thoracentesis for amylase?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
When can I remove the bandages after a thoracentesis (chest tap)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old female asked:
Doc....What is the risk of repeated thoracentesis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
In which intercostal space is thoracentesis performed?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A member asked:
Do I have to get some blood tests before doing a thoracentesis?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old asked:
Why do they test the fluid samples from a thoracentesis for amylase and glucose?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 77-year old female asked:
Is an x-ray absolutely necessary after every thoracentesis? Are there any negative cumulative side effects from the x-ray?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What are the reasons doctors test the fluid from a thoracentesis for amylase and glucose?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old male asked about a 90-year old female:
Can I be discharged an hour after a Thoracentesis procedure? Can this procedure cause ARDS/AHRF ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old male asked about a 90-year old female:
AHRF after thoracentesis. Died several days later. She was only off pradaxa for one day. What went wrong here?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
Is it normal to have low body temp, low BP and fever after thoracentesis? And how long will it take to recover?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
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
A 47-year old male asked:
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?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
How are pleural effusion and thoracentesis different?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What are the differences between pleural effusion and thoracentesis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
Please help! what is the difference between pleural effusion and thoracentesis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked about a 54-year old female:
Is pleural effusion recurrent? And what are the pros and cons of doing thoracentesis repeatedly?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
Is 4l an average volume to be extracted via thoracentesis for a 55 year old male w/ CKD and walking pneumonia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Doctors, what is the difference between pleural effusion and thoracentesis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
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