No evidence exists regarding the risk of aerosolisation from pleural procedures. This study used two discrete methodologies, in an environment with no background aerosol interference, to measure aerosol generation from 10 different pleural procedures (3 medical thoracoscopies, 3 indwelling pleural catheter insertions, 1 therapeutic thoracentesis, and 3 indwelling pleural catheter removals). The measurements indicated that, any aerosol production during these procedures was significantly lower than aerosols produced by the patient breathing or coughing. Pleural procedures should not be considered aerosol generating. We hope this study informs future iterations of guidelines on the appropriate use of PPE when performing these procedures.
Standard pleural interventions are not high-risk aerosol generating procedures.