Is there fluid around the lungs? Let's learn about the Thoracentesis treatment in simple terms.

You've probably heard the doctor say, "You have fluid around your lungs" when you're having trouble breathing. It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear this. But don't worry, there is a very simple, safe medical procedure that can be done to treat this condition and find the cause. That's what we call a thoracentesis. Today, we'll talk about it in a very simple, easy-to-understand way.

What is Thoracentesis?

Simply put, thoracentesis is the process of removing excess fluid (water) from around your lungs using a syringe-like instrument.

Imagine that our lungs are inside our chest. There is a very small space between these lungs and the chest wall. We call this space the pleural space. There are two very thin membranes in this space. When we breathe, our lungs expand and contract. For this process to happen very smoothly, without bumping into each other, there needs to be a very small amount of fluid between those two membranes. Just like putting a little oil on a door hinge makes it easier to open and close, this amount of fluid helps our lungs function easily.

But due to some diseases, more fluid starts to accumulate in this space than necessary. In medical terms, we call this pleural effusion . When this fluid fills up, there is not enough room for the lungs to expand freely, which causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.

So, what is done in thoracentesis treatment is to remove this excess fluid.

Difference between Thoracentesis and Paracentesis

Both of these are treatments that remove excess fluid from the body. However, thoracentesis removes fluid from the chest, that is, around the lungs. Paracentesis removes fluid that has accumulated in the abdomen (belly).

Is thoracentesis a major surgery?

Not at all. Thoracentesis is not a major surgery. It is called a 'minimally invasive' procedure, which means it is a treatment that causes minimal damage to the body. There is no major incision or wound. Therefore, the recovery time is very short, and the risks are very low.

Why do we need this treatment?

There are two main reasons for performing a thoracentesis.

1. Diagnostic: To find out why there is fluid around the lungs. A sample of the fluid is removed and sent to a lab to check for infection, cancer cells, or other signs of disease.

2. To relieve symptoms (Therapeutic): If a large amount of fluid has accumulated around the lungs and is making it very difficult for you to breathe, this treatment is done to remove that fluid and provide you with relief.

Let's look at the table below to see what the main causes of pleural effusion are.

How does this treatment work? Is it something to be afraid of?

There is no need to be afraid of this treatment at all. Let's see what happens step by step.

Preparation before treatment

Your doctor will give you some instructions before this treatment. There are also a few things you need to tell your doctor.

• If you are taking blood thinners or medications such as aspirin , be sure to mention it.
• If you have any blood clotting conditions , please let us know.
• Tell us about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
• Tell us if you have any allergies to any medications (especially numbing medications), latex, or tape .
• You should also tell us if you are pregnant or could become pregnant.

What happens during treatment?

This treatment is usually done in a hospital. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes .

1. Position: You will be asked to sit in a chair, lean on a table in front of you, and place your hands on your hips. This position exposes your backside. If you have difficulty sitting, you can also do this by leaning on your side.

2. Preparation: The area on your back where you want to remove the fluid will be thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution and covered with a cloth.

3. Numbing: Next, a very small needle is used to inject a numbing medication into the area. At this point, it feels like a small ant is biting you, but then the area completely numbs.

4. Removing the fluid: Now the doctor will insert another needle into the space between your ribs, just under the skin, where the fluid is. Sometimes, an ultrasound scan is used to help guide the area. The extra fluid will be drained through a tube attached to the needle.

5. End: After the required amount of fluid has been removed, the needle is removed and a small bandage is applied to the area.

After treatment

After treatment, you may have another X-ray or scan to check the condition of your lungs. Your pulse and blood pressure will be monitored for a few hours before you are sent home.

It is normal to cough a little for about an hour after treatment. This is because the lungs are expanding again after the fluid has cleared.

Risk and recovery time

Thoracentesis is a very safe procedure . The risk of complications is very low. Here are some of the possible risks:

• Bleeding: If the needle hits a small blood vessel, there may be some slight bleeding. This usually stops on its own.
• Infection: As with any cut in the skin, there is a very small chance that germs can enter and cause an infection.
• Pneumothorax: Very rarely, the needle may puncture the lung and create a small hole, allowing air to leak through. This can cause the lung to collapse.
• Pulmonary edema: If a large amount of fluid is removed too quickly, the lungs can fill with fluid.

It doesn't take long to heal. The doctor will tell you not to do any strenuous work for about two days . The bandage can be removed in about 24 hours.

If you have these symptoms after treatment, see a doctor immediately.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after you go home from treatment, call your doctor immediately.

• Fever
• Redness, swelling, or bleeding/other fluid where the needle was inserted
• Chest pain or pain when taking a deep breath
• Coughing up blood (Hemoptysis)
• Sudden severe difficulty breathing

Thoracentesis, Water in the lungs, Pleural effusion, Difficulty breathing, Chest pain, Medical tests