Complication rates of pleural aspiration by operator and image guidance
| Ultrasound guidance | Operator | Frequency of post-procedure pneumothorax | Frequency that a chest drain was required post procedure | Frequency of dry tap/procedure failure |
| Yes | Radiologist in training | 2.7% | 1.8% | 2.7% |
| Yes | Senior physician | 3.6% | 0.9% | 3.2% |
| Yes | Radiologist | 2.7% | 0.5% | |
| No | Physician in training | 15.0% | 4.7% | 12.9% |
| No | Senior physician | 5.7% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
The calculations and references used in this table are shown in appendix 1 in the online supplement.132–134