Outpatient percutaneous liver biopsy: still a good option.
OBJECTIVE
To assess security of "blind" percutaneous liver biopsy as an ambulatory procedure.


METHODS
Defining inclusion criteria, surveillance protocol, data from ultrasonography done 6 h after procedure and complications.


RESULTS
We analysed 192 percutaneous liver biopsies done between 2000-2007. There were no major complications and only a small number of minor complications. There were no deaths related to the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to perform percutaneous liver biopsy as an ambulatory procedure not expecting to find threatening complications.
Pinelo
Elisabete
E
Ambulatory Liver Biopsy, Liver Unit-Department of Medicine, CHTMAD (Vila Real)-Portugal.
Presa
Jose
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult