Pleural Disease Program

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Pleural Diseases

You will be seen by specialists from the Pleural Disease Surgery Program if you have been diagnosed with a pleural disease that requires surgical treatment.

Pleural diseases may be diagnosed using a number of tests, including imaging tests, thoracentesis (a thin needle is inserted between the ribs to remove a sample of pleural fluid), or thoracoscopy (a small tube with a light and camera is inserted into the chest cavity).

Surgical Treatment of Pleural Diseases

The surgical treatment offered will depend on many factors, including the type of pleural disease diagnosed. Whenever possible, we aim to provide minimally invasive techniques. Sometimes, traditional, open surgery is required.

• Thoracentesis: A needle is inserted into the pleural space to drain excess fluid or air. As well as diagnostic testing, thoracentesis is used to relieve symptoms.
• Thoracostomy: A tube is inserted between the ribs and connected to a drainage device. This procedure may be used to drain larger volumes of fluid or air.
• Pleurodesis: Surgical pleurodesis involves scraping the pleural surface to encourage scarring and adhesion to the chest wall.
• Pleurectomy: A surgical procedure to remove diseased pleura.
• Decortication: This is a procedure to remove thick or fibrous scar tissue from the surface of the lungs.
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): VATS is the gold standard, minimally invasive approach. Surgeons make small incisions in the chest and insert a very small camera and specialized instruments to view the chest cavity, remove abnormal tissue, take biopsies and perform repairs if needed.
• Thoracotomy: A traditional, open surgery in which a large incision is made in the chest. This type of surgery is usually needed to treat more complex conditions that cannot be managed by less invasive procedures.