Needle Thoracocentesis

Thoracocentesis or pleural tap (derived from Greek words, thorax and centesis, puncture) is an invasive procedure to remove air or fluid from the pleural cavity for either therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. The procedure was first performed by Morrill Wyman in 1850 and then described by Henry Ingersoll Bowditch in 1852. There exists a potential space between the inner chest wall and lung in the thoracic cavity and it contains a trace of fluid which acts as a lubricant during the expansion and recoiling of the lung. Any significant collection of air, fluid, or blood is pathological and needs to be removed. A hollow needle or cannula is introduced into the thorax to allow the removal of an abnormal collected air or fluid, in order to reinflate the lung. Thoracentesis can be done either supine or a sitting position depending upon the patient clinical condition and comfort.