Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: Safety and Utility in 137 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Percutaneous liver biopsy (BHP) is an invasive
medical procedure, associated with reduced mortality and
morbidity. This method is currently considered safe and has
a growing applicability in ambulatory regime. The objectives
were to study the safety profile of BHP performed in our hospital,
evaluate the specialty of the executor, the main indications
for the procedure, the usefulness of the results and its applicability
as an outpatient procedure.
Material and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively all patients
undergoing BHP in our hospital over a period of 9 years.
Exclusion criteria: post-mortem liver biopsies. We studied demographic,
clinical and pathological data.
Results: We included 137 procedures performed in 133 consecutive
patients (age 51.3 ± 17.2 years, 57.1% were male). The
main indication for BHP was the evaluation of hepatic masses,
followed by staging and therapeutic decision at hepatitis C infection
and evaluation of elevated transaminases. The primary
purpose of the procedure was the diagnosis. Gastroenterology
was the medical specialty responsible for most procedures
(51.8%). The pathologic results were conclusive in 86.1%
of biopsies. The rate of complications described was 0.73%
(n = 1): it was one pneumothorax and death in a patient of the
intensive care unit. In our population, 12.4% of patients were
discharged at the same day. There were no complications
described in this subgroup.
Conclusion: In this study, BHP was a safe technique, with a
low rate of serious complications which affirms its application
in ambulatory regime. Its result was inconclusive in 14%, indicating
the possibility of optimization in the future.