- Mr. Smith is confirmed to have cancer. The thoracic surgeon determines that there is a buildup of fluid in the
pleural sac surrounding the affected lung. The surgeon schedules Mr. Smith for a procedure in which the fluid will
be aspirated from this area. What is the term for this procedure?
Thoracentesis (say "thor-uh-sen-TEE-sis") is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This is called the pleural space.
