title: Fast-track, ambulatory ultrasound-guided Tru-Cut liver biopsy is feasible and cost-efficient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most institutions perform percutaneous liver biopsy with a post-biopsy patient observation period lasting up to eight hours, which is resource-demanding. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of liver biopsy performed in a fast-track set-up with an only one-hour post-biopsy observation time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients referred to our institution underwent fast-track ultrasound-guided 18-gauge Tru-Cut liver biopsy procedures. Each single biopsy procedure was followed by a post-procedure observational period of one hour and an additional focused assessment with sonography for trauma before patient discharge. All patients underwent a clinical follow-up programme at revisit in order to register any delayed onset of major complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 200 completed biopsy procedures, two major complications were registered post biopsy and they were treated appropriately. All patients were safely discharged from our institution. No fatality or long-term complications were found during this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fast-track approach reported herein is a feasible option when adequate patient information is given. Besides the obvious, positive effect on patient logistics and departmental throughput, this approach may also reduce diagnostic work-up time and bring financial benefits. Therefore, we encourage the use of this approach in institutions comparable to our own.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenheden D, Herlev Hospital, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, Denmark. chenxihuang@msn.com.
authors.forename: Chenxi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Torben
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lorentzen
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skjoldbye
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Christian Pállson
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Nolsøe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods