Pleural Tapping (Thoracentesis) – Diagnostic & Therapeutic
Care Before the Procedure
- Inform your doctor about blood thinners, allergies, or bleeding disorders.
- Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) may be done to locate fluid.
- Fasting may be required if sedation is planned.
- Arrange for someone to accompany you if needed.
Care During the Procedure
- Patient usually sits upright or leans forward.
- Chest area is cleaned and draped with sterile sheets.
- Local anesthesia is applied to numb the area.
- A needle or catheter is inserted to drain fluid.
- Fluid may be collected for lab analysis while excess is removed.
Care After the Procedure
- Apply sterile dressing and monitor for bleeding.
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours.
- Monitor for shortness of breath, chest pain, or fever.
- Report persistent pain, swelling, or difficulty breathing immediately.
- Follow-up imaging or tests may be done to check for fluid reaccumulation.
- Inform your doctor about blood thinners, allergies, or bleeding disorders.
- Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) may be done to locate fluid.
- Fasting may be required if sedation is planned.
- Arrange for someone to accompany you if needed.
Featured Specialities
Our Speciality Services
Pulmonology (Respiratory Medicine)
Our Respiratory Medicine department delivers specialist care for the full spectrum of lung and sleep disorders, from asthma and COPD to interstitial lung disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory failure. An interventional pulmonologist, sleep specialist, respiratory therapist and critical care expert make up our multidisciplinary team, which provides personalised diagnosis, bronchoscopic and image-guided interventions, comprehensive rehabilitation, and post-COVID support. The clinic offers in-depth functional testing (PFT, DLCO, body plethysmography, FeNO, CPET), level-1 and level-3 sleep studies, and therapeutic services such as EBUS, cryobiopsy, pleuroscopy, and bronchial artery embolisation.
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