Table 11.

Instruments for diagnostic thoracentesis

1. Sterile gloves 2. Sterile drape 3. Skin sterilising fluid like povidone iodine or chlorhexidine 4. Needle – 21G 5. Syringes – 5,10, 20 or 50 ml 6. For administering local anaesthesia – 26 g needle, ten cc syringes, 1% or 2% lignocaine 7. For therapeutic thoracentesis – 18-gauge over-the-needle catheter, a three-way stopcock, drainage tubing, and one or two large containers.