What is a pleural tap?

Pleural tap is a procedure in which the fluid sample is removed from the space between the lung lung and the thoracic wall. The lung lung is a double layer of membrane called pleural membranes that surround and support organs. Pleural tap is performed as part of the diagnostic process or as a treatment to remove fluid from the lungs. This procedure is also called aspiration, thoracentesis or thoracocentesis of pleural fluid.

In healthy lungs, there is a very small liquid between the layers of pleural membranes. Excess fluid is generally caused by a trauma or a process of disease such as cancer, infection or heart failure. In such cases, a pleural kick is a diagnostic measure in which the fluid sample is drawn and tested for the presence of bacteria, viruses or other guides to indicate the cause of the accumulation of fluid. For example, the type of cancer called pleural mesothelioma causes the fluid to accumulate between the pleural membranes. This accumulation of fluids, called PLEUR EXTRACTION, causes discomfort and makes breathing more difficult. The pleural tap is used as a treatment to remove fluid and for easier breathing of the patient.

For the preparation for the procedure, the patient will usually sit on a chair or on the edge of the bed. The patient must lean over the table and lay his hands, chest and head to the top of the table. The patient's back is washed and sterilized to prevent infection, and the local anesthetic then gets in place where the tap is made.

During the pleural fluid, the thin needle is inserted through the skin into the pleural space between the membranes. The fluid sample is inserted into the needle. When the needle is in place, it is very important that the patient moves, cough or deeply breathe to prevent sudden movements that could lead to lung damage. If the test is performed as part of the diagnostic process, the fluid sample is tested in the laboratory on MaliGive cells, microorganisms and proteins that provide diagnostic tracks.

The progress of the pleural tap is associated with several risks. The most common risks are cough or fainting during or after the procedure. Unusual risks include lung pain, collapsed lungs and accumulation of fluids in the lungs. Very rare risks include damage to near organs such as spleen or liver, and bleeding into the thoracic cavity. In general, someone who has this procedure undergoes chest X -ray immediately after ensuring that the lungs were not damaged by the needle.