What is the procedure called that causes the membranes around the lungs to stick together and prevents fluid buildup?

The procedure that causes the membranes around the lungs, known as the pleura, to stick together and prevents fluid buildup is called pleurodesis. This intervention is often performed in patients who experience recurrent pleural effusions or pneumothoraxes. During pleurodesis, a sclerosing agent is introduced into the pleural space, which leads to inflammation and adhesion between the pleural surfaces. This prevents the reaccumulation of fluid by creating a rigid barrier that limits the movement of fluid.

The rationale behind this procedure is to create long-term changes in the pleural cavity that do not allow fluid to accumulate again in the future. It is a critical technique for managing chronic conditions that affect the pleura and can significantly improve a patient's quality of life. The choice of agents used and the specific methods of administration can vary, but the fundamental aim is to achieve the desired adhesion of the pleura.

In contrast, thoracentesis involves the needle aspiration of fluid from the pleural space, which does not address the underlying issue of recurrent fluid accumulation. A pleural biopsy is performed to obtain tissue samples for diagnostic purposes, while pleural drainage is simply a method to relieve fluid buildup without creating long-term adherence. Therefore, pleuro