Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Cancer
  • Thoracentesis
Content

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest.

Alternative Names

Pleural fluid aspiration; Pleural tap

How the Test is Performed

The test is done in the following way:

  • You sit on a bed or on the edge of a chair or bed. Your head and arms rest on a table.
  • The skin around the procedure site is cleaned. A local numbing medicine (anesthetic) is injected into the skin.
  • A needle is placed through the skin and muscles of the chest wall into the space around the lungs, called the pleural space.
  • Fluid is drawn out with the needle.
  • The fluid may be sent to a laboratory for testing (pleural fluid analysis).

Open Article Detail

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is needed before the test. A chest x-ray will probably be done before and after the test.

Do not cough, breathe deeply, or move during the test to avoid injury to the lung.

How the Test will Feel

You will feel a stinging sensation when the local anesthetic is injected. You may feel pain or pressure when the needle is inserted into the pleural space.

Tell your health care provider if you feel short of breath or have chest pain.

Why the Test is Performed

Normally, very little fluid is in the pleural space. A buildup of too much fluid between the layers of the pleura is called a pleural effusion.

The test is performed to determine the cause of the extra fluid, or to relieve symptoms from the fluid buildup.

The test may be also performed for the following conditions:

  • Asbestos-related pleural effusion
  • Collagen vascular disease
  • Drug reactions
  • Hemothorax
  • Lung cancer
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
  • Thyroid disease

Normal Results

Normally the pleural cavity contains only a very small amount of fluid.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Testing the fluid will help your health care provider determine the cause of pleural effusion. Possible causes include:

  • Cancer
  • Cirrhosis
  • Heart failure
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Malnutrition
  • Kidney disease

If your health care provider suspects that you have an infection, a culture of the fluid may be done to test for bacteria.

Risks

Risks may include any of the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Pneumothorax
  • Respiratory distress

Considerations

A chest x-ray is done after the procedure to detect possible complications.

References

Broaddus C, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus CV, Martin TR, et al, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 73.

Celli BR. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 99.

Related Articles

From Sutter Health

    Talking To Your MD

      Self Care

        Other Related Content

          Patient Information

          Couple in kitchen looking at digital tablet

          Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

          • Accepted Health Plans
          • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
          • Health Insurance Guide

          Find a Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

          The Sutter Health Network of Care
          Expertise to fit your needs
          Primary Care

          Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

          Specialty Care

          Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

          Emergency Care

          For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

          Urgent Care

          After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

          Walk-In Care

          Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

          About Sutter

        • About Our Network
        • Annual Report
        • Awards
        • Community Benefit
        • Contact Us
        • News
        • Giving
        • Find Care

        • Birth Centers
        • Care Centers
        • Emergency Rooms
        • Hospitals
        • Imaging
        • Labs
        • Surgery Centers
        • Urgent Care
        • Walk-In Care
        • View All >
        • Featured Services

        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Services
        • Family Medicine
        • Home Health and Hospice
        • Orthopedics
        • Pediatrics
        • Pregnancy
        • Primary Care
        • Women's Health
        • View All >
        • Patient Resources

        • Accepted Health Plans
        • Classes and Events
        • Estimate Costs
        • Flu Resources
        • Health and Wellness
        • Medical Records
        • Medicare
        • My Health Online
        • Pay a Bill
        • Symptom Checker
        • Our Team

        • For Employees
        • Physician Careers
        • Recruiting Events
        • Sutter Careers
        • Vendors
        • Volunteers
          • ADA Accessibility
          • Contact
          • Privacy
          • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

          • LinkedIn Opens new window
          • YouTube Opens new window
          • Facebook Opens new window
          • Twitter Opens new window
          • Glassdoor Opens new window
          • Instagram Opens new window

          Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

          Cookie Policy

          We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

          Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences