Thoracentesis Interventional Radiology
Your doctor has ordered a thoracentesis to remove fluid from around your lungs. This will be done in Interventional Radiology.
Your appointment is on _____________________ at ___________. Please register at the main Radiology desk in E3/3 when you arrive.
Why do I need a thoracentesis?
Your doctor has found that you have fluid around your lung. This is a serious problem that can occur from many different conditions.
Normally, there is no fluid around your lungs. Your lungs can fill with air (inflate) fully without a problem. When fluid builds up between your chest wall and lungs it pushes on your lungs so that they do not inflate properly. By removing the fluid your lungs can once again fully inflate with air.
What are symptoms of fluid around the lungs?
| Early symptoms | Later symptoms |
|
Trouble breathing |
Rapid/very difficult breathing |
|
Coughing on and off |
Hacky cough |
|
Tight feeling in chest |
Feeling of doom or anxiety |
|
|
Chest pain |
How do I prepare for a thoracentesis?
You should have someone with you who can drive you home. You may be instructed not to eat before the procedure. If you take blood thinners like Plavix® or warfarin (Coumadin®), you may be asked to hold these medicines as long as your doctor who prescribes these approves.
What should I expect during the thoracentesis?
The Interventional Radiology doctor or nurse practitioner will explain the procedure to you and get your formal consent.
Blood work may be done beforehand. This depends on your health history. An intravenous (IV) line may be inserted in your arm. The doctor will use ultrasound (a machine that sends sound waves through the skin and creates images on a TV screen) to check the fluid location. Most times the fluid is drained from the middle back or side. A technologist will clean the skin with soap in the area the doctor decides is best for the fluid drainage.
Numbing medicine will be injected under the skin where the doctor will remove the fluid. This may burn at first but then the area will be numb. A small needle will be inserted into the fluid. After this, a small tube is exchanged for the needle. The fluid will be drained out through the tube with a syringe or suction device. A nurse will be checking your pulse, oxygen level, and blood pressure.
At the end of the procedure, you may have a cough as your lungs start to fully inflate again. This can last for an hour or so after the fluid is removed. You should keep a dressing or bandaid on the thoracentesis site for the next 24 hours.
What can I do after the procedure?
You can resume your normal routine, as you are able, after the fluid drainage. You should call your primary doctor if you begin to have early symptoms of fluid build up again. Sometimes the fluid will build up again, and you may need to repeat the thoracentesis.
If you have any other questions, you may call Interventional Radiology at 608-263-8355 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and leave a message for the nurse practitioner.
After hours, nights, and weekends, please call (608) 262-0486. This will give you the paging operator. Ask for the Interventional Radiologist on call. Give your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/28/2010
Copyright © 05/28/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5827
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