Too much lubricating fluid in the space between your lungs and chest wall can build up and press on your lungs. Because your lungs can’t expand fully, the result is pain and shortness of breath.

Too much lung fluid can cause symptoms, including:

• Excess fluid (pleural effusion): Too much fluid in the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax): When air or fluid puts pressure on the lung and partially or totally collapses it

Pleural care focuses on relieving that pressure so you can breathe more comfortably and return to your daily activities. The methods for draining lung fluid are very safe, and serious complications are rare.

Our team works to not only drain the fluid but also to treat the condition that caused it, giving you lasting relief and better lung health. We tailor every care plan to your needs—treatment for lung cancer is different from treatment for broken ribs, for example.

Pleural procedures

Your doctor may order tests to determine what's putting pressure on the lungs. This may include:

• Thoracic ultrasound: A quick, safe way to detect rib fractures, infections, collapsed lungs, or blood in the pleural space
• Medical thoracoscopy: Uses a thin tube with a camera inserted between the ribs to look directly inside the pleural space

Once they have a full idea of the problem, they’ll move forward with procedures to remove lung fluid. We do most drainage procedures on an outpatient basis, so you can usually go home the same day.

These include:

• Thoracentesis: Uses a hollow needle with imaging guidance (ultrasound, CT, or X-ray) to remove fluid from the pleural space and test it for a diagnosis. Also relieves pressure by draining fluid from the pleural space.
• Chest tubes: Plastic tubes (small or large) placed short-term to drain fluid or air from the chest.
• Indwelling catheters: Soft tubes for long-term drainage if fluid keeps coming back. They're discreet and don't interfere with daily activities.

If fluid keeps coming back even after it’s drained, your doctor may also suggest a Talc pleurodesis. They’ll place medical talc into the pleural space to seal the lung lining, which helps prevent fluid or air from building up again.

Nonsurgical treatments

Your care plan may include nonsurgical treatments, as well as procedures. Medicines such as antibiotics can treat an infection, steroids, or NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain, diuretics to remove extra fluid, and bronchodilators to widen your airways. 

We may also recommend lifestyle changes to support your recovery and make breathing easier. These include eating a healthy diet, managing stress, exercising with your doctor’s approval, quitting smoking, and developing good sleep habits.

Pleural fluid buildup may happen if you have:

• Heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Lung cancer or other cancers that have spread to the lungs
• Kidney disease
• Pneumonia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Rib or other chest injury
• Thoracic surgery
• Radiation therapy to the chest

The goal of pleural care is to ease your breathing and improve your comfort by draining extra fluid from around your lungs. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident before, during, and after treatment.

Before the procedure

Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, medical history, and the likely cause of the fluid buildup. You may need blood tests or imaging studies, such as an ultrasound or chest X-ray, to guide treatment.

In most cases, fluid drainage is an outpatient procedure, so you can plan to go home the same day. If you need sedation for the procedure, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

During the procedure

Your care team will make you comfortable and explain each step. Doctors may use a thin needle, tube, or small camera to drain the fluid or look inside the pleural space. 

Depending on your condition, you may receive medicine to help prevent the fluid from returning. The procedure usually takes less than an hour, and many people can breathe better soon afterward.

Follow-up

Most people are able to return to light activities within a day or two. Avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor says it's safe. 

Because excess lung fluid can sometimes return, it’s essential to keep all follow-up appointments. If fluid builds up again, you may need a repeat procedure or placement of a pleural catheter for long-term drainage. 

Always call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, fever, or new trouble breathing.