OUTPATIENT PERCUTANEOUS LIVER-BIOPSY IN CHILDREN

We reviewed data from 184 percutaneous liver biopsies performed as an outpatient procedure in 104 patients (5 weeks to 22 years of age) over a 4-year period. Hepatic allograft rejection was the indication for 1 30 of the biopsy procedures, while 54 were performed for a variety of indications in patients who had not undergone transplant. Abnormalitie s of coagulation that necessitated correction were present in 19 patie nts at the time of biopsy. Patients tolerated the procedure well. Ther e were no major complications. None of the patients required blood pro duct transfusion or hospitalization as a result of the procedure. Two patients suffered respiratory depression as a complication of sedation , which was easily reversed with administration of intravenous naloxon e. Two specimens were insufficient for interpretation. We conclude tha t percutaneous liver biopsy in the proper outpatient setting can reduc e the need for hospitalization solely for the purpose of the procedure .