A randomised study on the efficacy and safety of an automated Tru-Cut needle for percutaneous liver biopsy.
BACKGROUND
We studied whether the theoretical advantages of a spring-loaded liver biopsy needle exist in clinical practice and if so if they are dependent upon the experience of the physician performing the biopsy.


METHODS
In a stratified randomised study we enrolled 215 consecutive patients to compare the safety and efficacy of a new automatic biopsy gun (Acecut) with that of a standard Tru-Cut needle.


RESULTS
A total of 464 biopsies were performed. The endpoints of the study were number of needle passes needed per patient, tissue yield of each needle pass and post-biopsy complications. The performance of the automatic needle was superior and more consistent with respect to tissue yield compared with the Tru-Cut needle (median yield 100% and 80%, respectively; p < 0.001). The difference was most marked for inexperienced physicians. There was no difference between the two needles in the number of passes needed. More post-biopsy pain and post-biopsy use of analgesics were observed in the automatic needle group (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The automatic Tru-Cut needle offers an advantage, particularly for physicians with no or limited experience in liver biopsies. However more post-biopsy pain and post-biopsy use of analgesics were observed in the automatic needle group.
de Man
R A
RA
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.deman@erasmusmc.nl
van Buuren
H R
HR
Hop
W C J
WC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles