Percutaneous liver biopsy: technique and safety.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous liver biopsy is a commonly used procedure for management of patients with liver diseases. We studied 107 patients of liver diseases with percutaneous liver biopsy to assess the need and usefulness of post procedure abdominal binder, analgesics, antibiotics or blood transfusion, and safety of the procedure. METHODOLOGY: We selected 107 consecutive patients having clear indication for liver biopsy. Each and every patient underwent percutaneous liver biopsy under uniform technique. The study was performed at the Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from July 2006 to December 2007. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 27.35 years with +/- 7.62 (SD) years. Eighty five of them were male and 22 were female. No abdominal binder or antibiotic was used after the procedure. No analgesic or blood transfusion was required after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Routine post procedure use of abdominal binder and antibiotic are needless. Analgesics and blood transfusion are not always needed after the procedure. Percutaneous liver biopsy is a safe procedure in expert hands.