Pleural Tap Consent 💉🫁
Consent guide for pleural tap (thoracentesis). Procedure explanation, risks, benefits, alternatives, and patient information for obtaining informed consent.
📌 Procedure/Investigation
- Pleural aspiration (thoracentesis) is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the pleural space (between the lung and chest wall) to remove fluid for diagnosis or symptom relief.
- It may be diagnostic (sample sent to lab) or therapeutic (to relieve breathlessness).
✅ Indications
- Diagnosis of pleural effusion (e.g. malignancy, infection, heart failure)
- Relief of dyspnoea from large effusions
🔍 Procedure Overview
- You will usually be seated, leaning slightly forward.
- The skin is cleaned and local anaesthetic is applied.
- Ultrasound is used to guide a fine needle into the pleural space.
- Fluid is drawn off into a syringe or drainage bottle.
- A dressing is applied afterwards, and you may have a chest X-ray or ultrasound to check for complications.
⚠️ Risks & Complications
- Common: Discomfort at needle site, transient cough.
- Uncommon: Infection, vasovagal reaction, no fluid obtained.
- Occasional: Pneumothorax (air leak), bleeding.
- Rare: Re-expansion pulmonary oedema, need for further drainage or intervention.
- Very rare: Damage to lung or other organs, significant bleeding requiring treatment.
❓ Common Patient Questions
- Will it be painful? → You may feel pressure or stinging from local anaesthetic, but pain is minimal.
- Can I eat or drink beforehand? → Usually yes, unless otherwise advised.
- How long does it take? → Around 15–30 minutes.
- Can I go home after? → Often yes, but you may be monitored briefly for complications.
- Will I need it again? → Possibly, depending on the underlying cause.
📝 Additional Notes
- A trained clinician should take consent and perform the procedure.
- Ultrasound guidance should be used in almost all cases.
- Anticoagulation and clotting status should be reviewed prior.
- Consent should include discussion of benefits, risks, and alternatives (e.g. observation, imaging, or pleural drain).