PERCUTANEOUS LIVER-BIOPSY IN 231 OUTPATIE NTS

OBJECTIVES: The aim oi this study was to verify that percutaneous live r biopsy does not require prolonged hospitalization over 24 hours and can be performed in a day care clinic without increased morbidity PATI ENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirty-one outpatients underwent percuta neous liver biopsies in a day care clinic from November 1, 1994 to Jun e 30, 1996. There were 136 men and 95 women, mean age 39.5 years, age range 16-72 years. Liver biopsy was performed as part of the work-up f or hepatitis C in 183 patients. The biopsy was a repeat procedure in 4 3 patients. RESULTS: The procedure was uneventful in 230 patients. Hos pitalization for 24 hours was required in one patient with a biliodige stive anastamosis who developed chills and fever due to Eschericia coi l bacteremia. Two procedures were unsuccessful. CONCLUSION: This serie s confirms that when performed in compliance with standard rules for s trictly controlled indications, morbidity after percutaneous liver bio psy is not greater in an outpatient than a classical inpatient setting .