A pleural effusion is a build up of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
Treatment involves draining the fluid from the chest cavity, either with a needle or a small tube inserted into the chest.
Local anesthesia is administered before this procedure, which will make the treatment more comfortable. You may feel discomfort at the incision site after the anesthesia wears off and you will be prescribed pain relief medication.
You may need this treatment more than once if fluid builds up again.
Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is a treatment where mild inflammation is created between the lung and chest cavity pleura to fuse the pleural layers in order to prevent fluid from re-accumulating.. A drug is injected into the area after excess fluid is drawn out of the chest cavity. This medication causes the two layers of the pleura to stick together, which prevents the future buildup of fluid between them.
Thoracentesis
This procedure involves inserting a needle into the pleural space to drain the fluid, which provides relief and allows for testing to determine the cause. In recurrent or persistent cases, a chest tube (tube thoracostomy) may be inserted for continuous drainage. This option is for more serious cases and for those who do not respond to other treatments.
A procedure called a pleurectomy, where part of the pleural lining is surgically removed, may also be an option in certain cases.
