Thoracentesis indications

The indications of Thoracocentesis can be divide into

• When thoracocentesis is done to take out small amount of pleural fluid for testing, to establish the cause of the disease.
• The most common causes of pleural effusions are cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and recent surgery. In countries where tuberculosis is common, this is also a common cause of pleural effusions.

• When thoracocentesis is done to remove large amount of pleural fluid or air (in pneumothorax), so as to improve patient’s comfort and lung function.^[1]
• When patient’s lung function is compromised due to large pneumothorax, or pleural effusion or hemothorax , then this procedure is usually replaced with tube thoracostomy, the placement of a large tube in the pleural space.

Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources Template:Jb1