Infection and significant bleeding are extremely rare. Hypotension also is extremely rare. When large amounts of fluid are withdrawn and a severely compressed lung reexpands, the lung can refill with fluid. This is called reexpansion pulmonary edema. It happens in patients who have a large amount of fluid drained, and it is uncommon.
Infection is a risk in any invasive procedure.
Back to Top Closed pleural biopsy Sometimes a sample of the pleural membrane is needed to determine the underlying cause. A closed pleural biopsy is performed to obtain the sample in the same manner as a thoracentesis, except that a different needle is used. There are two different needles commonly used that share a similar characteristic. The procedure is slightly more uncomfortable than thoracentesis, and general anesthetic is often given. After anesthetizing the skin and tissue to the pleural space, the needle is inserted along the track and into the pleural space.