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Thoracentesis - Risks

Alternative Names

Pleural fluid aspiration; Pleural tap

What the risks are:

Bleeding
Fluid build-up
Infection
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary edema
Respiratory distress

Special considerations:

A chest x-ray is often done after the procedure to detect possible complications.

Reviewed last on: 9/13/2008
Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Blok B, Ibrado A. Thoracentesis. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2004: chap 9.

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