The best replacement for thoracentesis is chest tube.

The best alternatives to thoracentesis are rated as following:
★★★★★  chest tube
★★★★  thoracostomy
★★★  paracentesis
★  pleurocentesis
★  thoracentesis
★  thoracotomy
★  pleurodesis
★  needle decompression
★  thoracocentesis
  pericardiocentesis
  tube thoracostomy
  bronchoscopy

Your alternative for thoracentesis is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about thoracentesis, one probably shouldn't forget about pleural effusion.

Other search terms related to thoracentesis and their ratings are:
★★★★★ pleural effusion
You have in mind a companion for thoracentesis and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of thoracentesis in all years. Click on graph for more.
thoracentesis
chest tube
thoracostomy