Thoracentesis is a medical procedure that involves the removal of excess fluid from the space between the lungs and chest wall, known as the pleural space. This procedure is done to diagnose and treat conditions such as pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid in the pleural space that can lead to difficulty breathing and chest pain. Thoracentesis can also be done to obtain a sample of the fluid for testing and analysis.

Medical tourism companies like Medditour connect the patients seeking thoracentesis procedure with the international hospitals and facilitators for quality treatments at affordable cost.

In this article, let’s explore the purpose, how it is done, and how it influences medical tourism in medical tourism destinations like India, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Purpose of Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is done to relieve symptoms associated with pleural effusion, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough. The procedure can also help diagnose the cause of the fluid buildup, which can include congestive heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, and other conditions.

Treatment Procedure

Before the procedure, the patient will be asked to sit or lie down and a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. The doctor will then insert a needle through the chest wall and into the pleural space to withdraw the excess fluid. The procedure typically takes 10-30 minutes to complete, and the patient may experience some discomfort or pressure during the process.

Uptodate states that a therapeutic thoracentesis is used to remove a larger volume of pleural fluid (about 20 ounces [600 mL] to 40 ounces [1200 mL]) to relieve symptoms, such as shortness of breath.

After the procedure, the patient may be monitored for a short period of time to ensure that there are no complications, such as bleeding or infection. In some cases, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two if the procedure was done to treat a serious condition.

Medical Tourism and Thoracentesis

Medical tourism can be an attractive option for patients who are seeking lower costs, shorter wait times, or access to medical treatments that may not be available in their home country.

India, Singapore, and Malaysia are popular destinations for medical tourism, offering high-quality medical care at a fraction of the cost in many western countries. These countries have modern, state-of-the-art medical facilities and highly trained medical professionals who are experienced in performing thoracentesis and other medical procedures.

Painter Law Firm states in one of its articles that while thoracentesis isn’t considered an emergency procedure, sometimes clinical situations are such that fast action is required.

For patients seeking thoracentesis, medical tourism can offer several advantages. First, the cost of the procedure is often significantly lower in these countries, making it more affordable for patients who may not have access to healthcare in their home country. Second, medical tourism can offer shorter wait times, allowing patients to receive treatment sooner than they would be able to in their home country. Finally, companies like Medditour help the patients who wish to travel abroad for thoracentesis treatments at affordable cost by giving an opportunity to combine their treatment with vacation at these medical tourism destinations.

In conclusion, thoracentesis is a medical procedure that is done to diagnose and treat conditions such as pleural effusion. Medical tourism is becoming an increasingly popular option for patients seeking medical treatment, and India, Singapore, and Malaysia offer high-quality medical care at a fraction of the cost of many western countries.