Placement of a thoracentesis needle
Placement of a thoracentesis needle
Placement of a thoracentesis needle
In thoracentesis, the doctor removes fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall (the pleural space). The doctor inserts a needle (and sometimes a plastic catheter) between two ribs and through the chest wall to remove and examine the fluid.
Current as of: July 6, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & David C. Stuesse MD - Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery
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