Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Medical thoracoscopic removal of a metal needle from the pleural space
Richa Gupta1, Prince James1, Balamugesh Thangakunam2
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:
Medical thoracoscopy is an excellent diagnostic and therapeutic tool for management of pleural diseases. There have been case reports of removal of foreign bodies from pleural spaces with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia by thoracic surgeons. We present a case of successful removal of an 8 cm long metal needle from the pleural space with single port medical semirigid thoracoscopy under local anaesthesia by a chest physician. Removal of a foreign body from the pleural space is one more indication for medical thoracoscopy, however, an experienced chest physician and proper case selection are very important for safety and a successful outcome of this procedure.
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