What is Thoracentesis?

Thoracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid or air from the lungs. The pleural space is reached by passing a needle through the chest wall. The narrow space that exists between the inner chest wall and the lung’s pleura is known as the pleural space. The pleura is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs. A small amount of fluid exists inside the gap. The fluid keeps the pleura from grinding together when you breathe. Pleural effusion refers to the presence of excess fluid in the pleural space. Breathing becomes more difficult because the lungs are unable to expand to their full capacity. Pain and dyspnea may result from this. Physical activity may exacerbate these problems.

Why is Thoracentesis Done?

Thoracentesis is performed for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes or both, that is, to improve your symptoms that are related to fluid buildup around your lungs or to obtain a sample of this fluid. Common reasons to have thoracentesis done include:

• Infection: If the healthcare provider believes an individual has an infection (for example, bacterial infection) that leads to a pleural effusion, they will take a sample of the fluid from the individual chest. Several tests on the pleural fluid can assist in determining the reason behind the infection.
• Cancer: If cancer is possibly causing pleural effusion, your provider can perform a procedure to obtain some of the fluid and examine it under a microscope for signs of cancer.
• Symptom relief: For instance, if you are having trouble breathing due to pleural effusion, your provider can drain some of it to ease your breathing.

Who Might Need Thoracentesis?

Thoracentesis may be performed to determine the etiology of the pleural effusion. By draining fluid, pleural effusion symptoms can also be managed. After that, a lab examines the fluid. Thoracentesis is useful in the diagnosis of conditions like:

• Certain types of high blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension).
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Kidney or liver disease.
• Tuberculosis (TB).
• Congestive heart failure.
• Pneumonia or lung infections (viral, bacterial, or fungal).
• Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus/SLE) and other autoimmune diseases.
• Blood clots in your lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• Cancer.

Thoracentesis Cost in India

A variety of factors determine the cost of a thoracentesis in India. The most important element influencing thoracentesis costs in India is the patient’s condition, the location, and the hospital a person choose. Thoracentesis surgery in India might cost anywhere between INR 5000 and INR 10,000.

Please keep in mind that the cost of the treatment will vary depending on various factors. Below are the factors that can affect the cost of the treatment.

Factors that affect the cost of Thoracentesis in India

Here are several key factors that influence the expenses associated with Thoracentesis cost in India:

Hospital or clinic’s location: The cost of care in a private hospital or clinic is often higher than that in a public hospital.

Medication costs: Certain medicines can influence the overall cost of thoracentesis in India.

Patient Condition: The complexity of the patient’s overall health can affect the duration of treatment, impacting the cost. 

Duration of treatment: Longer treatment courses involving multiple visits can lead to higher cumulative costs.

The expertise and experience of medical professionals: Pulmonologists or a specialist in lung and respiratory conditions with extensive experience and recognition often command higher fees, contributing to the treatment cost.

How the Treatment is Performed?

Before having a thoracentesis, a healthcare provider will check your blood pressure and pulse oximetry – a noninvasive test that uses a small probe placed on your finger to estimate the amount of oxygen in your blood. Depending on the type of case, they will carry out imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan to determine where the fluid is and in what quantity.

You will be asked to wear a gown which is opened at the back and also remove all accessories. From there, most cases happen this way:

• The position considered most appropriate to thoracentesis should be sitting on a chair or bed and have your arms placed on a table. This draws out the space between the ribs.
• The location where the doctor is likely to conduct the treatment is prepared and the surrounding tissues are anesthetized. In some cases, children who are below age are administered to some drugs that can make them unconscious.
• The doctor will inject the needle from the back between the two ribs. At times, doctors rely on images captured by ultrasound to help them when carrying out this operation.
• The doctor will place a catheter (tube) onto the needle and pull the fluid through the catheter. You may feel some pressure from the test, but it’s not supposed to cause you discomfort in any way.
• The doctor may tell you to sit or lie still, breathe normally or breathe out, or not breathe at all from time to time.
• Once an adequate amount of fluid has been withdrawn, they will take out the needle and the area will be covered with a dressing. The area where the needle will have penetrated the skin will naturally seal without the need for any suture.
• After the procedure your doctor may perform another ultrasound or an X-ray to assess your lungs.
• It normally takes about 15 minutes to perform a thoracentesis. It may take longer if, for instance, there is so much of the fluid that needs to be drained.

Also read: Best Pulmonologists in Delhi

Thoracentesis Post-Op Care

Following the treatment, a nurse will monitor the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate. The wound may also be inspected before you are discharged from the hospital or facility.

Patients may experience post-intubation coughing for up to one hour as the lungs regain their normal size.

Best Hospitals For Thoracentesis in India

India is one of the best countries that provides one of the best treatments in the world. Here we have listed the best hospitals that provide thoracentesis: 

• Max Hospital Saket
• Fortis Hospital Gurgaon
• Global Hospital Chennai
• MGM Healthcare, Chennai
• Fortis Hospital Kolkata
• Apollo Hospital Delhi
• Medanta Hospital Gurgaon
• KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad
• Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad
• Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai
• Jaslok Hospital Mumbai
• Artemis Hospital Gurgaon