VCP 411: Medicine Section

Thoracocentesis

THORACOCENTSIS

• This is of value in the presence of fluid in the pleural sac. Eg: Exudative type of pleurisy. Here needle is introduced between 6^th and 7^th intercostals space below the anticipated level of the fluid and aspiration is done with syringe.
• Care must be taken to avoid puncture of pericardial sac unless a sample of pericardial fluid specifically required and do microbial examination for cellular contents.
• For the diagnosis of the severity of the disease and sometimes it has neoplastic cells.