A pleural tap is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the lungs and chest wall, used for diagnosis or treatment. Excess fluid is caused by trauma or disease, and the procedure involves inserting a needle to draw a sample. Risks include coughing, fainting, lung pain, and bleeding.
A pleural tap is a procedure in which a sample of fluid is removed from the space between the lining of the lungs and the chest wall. The lining of the lungs is a double layer of membranes called the pleural membranes, which surround and support the organs. A pleural tap is performed as part of a diagnostic process or as a treatment to remove fluid from the lungs. This procedure is also called pleural fluid aspiration, thoracentesis, or thoracentesis.
In healthy lungs, there is very little fluid between the layers of the pleural membranes. Excess fluids are usually caused by trauma or some type of disease process, such as cancer, infection, or heart failure. In such cases, a pleural puncture is a diagnostic measure in which a sample of fluid is taken and tested for the presence of bacteria, viruses, or other clues to indicate the cause of the fluid buildup.
This procedure can also be used to treat the symptoms of some diseases. For example, a type of cancer called pleural mesothelioma causes fluid to build up between the pleural membranes. This buildup of fluid, called a pleural effusion, causes discomfort and makes breathing difficult. The pleural sampling procedure is used as a treatment to remove fluid and help the patient breathe easier.
To prepare for the procedure, the patient usually sits in a chair or on the edge of a bed. The patient should lean over a table and rest their arms, chest and head on the top of the table. The patient’s back is washed and sterilized to help prevent infection, and then a local anesthetic is injected into the site where the tap will be performed.
During pleural fluid sampling, a long, thin needle is inserted through the skin into the pleural space between the membranes. A fluid sample is drawn into the needle. When the needle is in place, it is very important that the patient does not move, cough or breathe deeply, in order to prevent sudden movements which could cause injury to the lungs. If the test is done as part of a diagnostic process, the fluid sample is tested in a laboratory for malignant cells, microorganisms, and proteins that provide diagnostic clues.
There are several risks associated with the pleural sampling procedure. The most common risks are coughing or fainting during or after the procedure. Uncommon risks include lung pain, lung collapse, and fluid accumulation in the lung. Very rare risks include damage to nearby organs, such as the spleen or liver, and bleeding into the chest cavity. Generally, someone having this procedure will have a chest X-ray soon after, to make sure their lungs weren’t damaged by the needle.
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