[Should liver biopsy be systematic during surgery for ulcerative colitis?].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis and other histological liver abnormalities in patients operated on for ulcerative colitis and to discuss the advantages of performing a systematic liver biopsy during surgery.


METHODS
From 1996 to 2001, 21 consecutive patients underwent a restorative proctocolectomy or a reoperation after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. These patients systematically underwent liver biopsy during the procedure.


RESULTS
One patient presented with primary sclerosing cholangitis (4.7%). This patient was clinically and biologically asymptomatic. Four patients had steatosis, 8 had non specific inflammation such as small duct cholangitis and 8 had normal liver biopsy. As a result medical treatment was adapted and close surveillance of the live was begun.


CONCLUSIONS
Peroperative liver biopsy identify primary sclerosing cholangitis or other liver diseases in an early diagnosis and help evaluate their stage in order to start appropriate treatment.
Scalone
Olivia
O
Service de Chirurgie Générale et Digestive, Hôpital Michallon, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9. olivia.scalone@freesbee.fr
Bonaventure
Cyril
C
Pasquier
Dominique
D
Faucheron
Jean-Luc
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors