What is a pleural puncture?

In diseases of the chest, pathological fluid often accumulates in the pleural cavity. For further diagnosis and improvement of the general condition of the patient, the thoracic surgeon often starts with this procedure. This treatment and diagnostic procedure is performed under local anesthesia. A special needle is inserted into the pleural cavity and the liquid is drained to the outside. Then, if necessary, the doctor can order laboratory tests of the contents to make the correct diagnosis.

What is thoracoscopy?

This is a visual examination of the pleural cavity and the surface of the lungs using a special device - a thoracoscope. Often in this way, it is possible to quickly find out what disease a given patient has and, if possible, this procedure can easily be converted into a full-fledged surgical intervention.

What is pleural empyema?

A formidable bacterial lung disease that often occurs as a progression of other diseases (pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis).
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Due to severe inflammation, the pleura (the membrane that surrounds the lungs) thickens excessively and loses its elasticity. Because of these changes, the lungs cannot physically open during inhalation, so patients experience shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest.

The only way to help such a patient is surgical intervention - lung decortication. The surgeon mechanically frees the lung from this shell and other moorings that make it difficult to open the lungs.