Thoracentesis: A Safe Procedure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: Jeffrey E. Godwin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Brief Reports15 November 1990Thoracentesis: A Safe Procedure in Mechanically Ventilated PatientsJeffrey E. Godwin, MD, Steven A. Sahn, MDJeffrey E. Godwin, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Steven A. Sahn, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-113-10-800 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThoracentesis has contributed to the diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusions for almost 150 years (1). More than 90% of thoracenteses provide clinically useful information (2), with major complication rates of up to 14% (2-4). Despite the utility of this procedure, in our institution physicians are reluctant to do thoracenteses in mechanically ventilated patients because they perceive the risk for pneumothorax to be increased. Although positive pressure ventilation is not considered to be a contraindication to the procedure, according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines (5), no available data indicate the safety of using the procedure in this...References1. Garrison F. Introduction to the History of Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1929:632. Google Scholar2. Collins T and Sahn S. Thoracentesis clinical value, complications, technical problems, and patient experience. Chest. 1987;91:817-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Seneff M, Corwin R, and Gold L. Complications associated with thoracentesis. Chest. 1986;90:97-100. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Jenkins D, McKinney M, Szpak M, and Booker J. Veres needle in the pleural space. South Med J. 1983;76:1383-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Sokowlowski J, Burgher L, Jones F, Patterson J, and Selecky P. Guidelines for thoracentesis and needle biopsy of the pleura. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989;140:257-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Sahn S. State of the art. The pleura. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1988;138: 184-234. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Hall W and Mayewski R. Diagnostic thoracentesis and pleural biopsy in pleural effusion. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:799-802. LinkGoogle Scholar8. Kohan J, Poe R, and Israel R. Value of chest ultrasonography versus decubitus roentgenography for thoracentesis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1986;133:1124-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Jeffrey E. Godwin, MD; Steven A. Sahn, MDFrom the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. For current author addresses, see end of text. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPleural effusion in critically ill patients and intensive care settingPleural Effusions in the Critically Ill and “At-Bleeding-Risk” PopulationPleural Disease: Malignant and Benign Pleural EffusionsUtility of pleural effusion drainage in the ICU: An updated systematic review and META-analysisPleural Disease: Malignant and Benign Pleural EffusionsPleural effusions on the intensive care unit; Hidden morbidity with therapeutic potentialThe Diagnosis and Management of Pleural Effusions in the ICUUtility of draining pleural effusions in mechanically ventilated patientsDetermination of the Cause of Pleural Effusion in ICU Patients with ThoracentesisRETRACTED: Chest Tube Drainage of Transudative Pleural Effusions Hastens Liberation From Mechanical VentilationPleural Disease and PneumothoraxThoracentesisPleural Effusions and ComplicationsThoracentesis, Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of Pleura, Small-Bore Catheter Drainage: Does Size Really Matter?Toracocentese e biópsia pleuralPleural UltrasonographyRole of the Interventional Pulmonologist in the Intensive Care UnitÉpanchements pleuraux en réanimationDiagnostic des pleurésies (hors cancer)Surgeon-performed ultrasound in the ICU settingCreation of an innovative inpatient medical procedure service and a method to evaluate house staff competencySafety of Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis in Patients Receiving Mechanical VentilationClinically Documented Pleural Effusions in Medical ICU PatientsRoutine exploratory thoracentesis in ICU patients with pleural effusions: Results of a French questionnaire studyPleural Disease in the Intensive Care UnitPleural Disease in the Intensive Care UnitPLEURAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNITThoracentesis in Medical ICU Patients: When Is "Safe" Really "Safe Enough"?Thoracentesis in Medical ICU Patients: When is “Safe” Really “Safe Enough”?Safety and Value of Thoracentesis in Medical ICU PatientsPleural Effusions in the Medical ICUSafety of Thoracentesis in Mechanically Ventilated PatientsRisk of ThoracentesisDonna R. Grogan, MD, Richard S. Irwin, MD 15 November 1990Volume 113, Issue 10Page: 800-802KeywordsCritical carePleural effusionPositive pressure ventilationSafety ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 15 November 1990 PDF downloadLoading ...