Home  Procedures Liver Biopsy
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Liver Biopsy |
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What is the procedure?
This procedure allows the doctor to obtain a tissue sample from your liver to
assist in the diagnosis of liver disease. The tissue sample obtained from this
procedure will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. The results are available
in approximately one week.
When you arrive, a nurse will sit down with you to discuss your medical history,
including current medications you may be taking, and any medicine allergies. You
will be asked to undress and will be given a gown to put on. The nurse will help
you get comfortable on the exam cart. Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and
oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout your stay.
Before the physician performs the procedure, he will inject a local anesthetic
into the skin, to numb the area in which he will be working. The area is also
cleansed with betadine. After the area is numb, the doctor will ask you to take
a deep breath and hold it. When you have inhaled, a needle will be inserted
through the skin between the ribs on your right side, and into your liver. The
procedure takes only a few seconds, and although you will feel some pressure, it
is virtually painless.
A band-aid and dressing will be placed over the biopsy site, and you will need
to lay on your right side for a minimum of 2 hours. It is important to remain in
this position to avoid bleeding from the liver. The dressing will be checked for
signs of bleeding. You are encouraged to bring along some reading material, and
there also is a television in your room. After 2 hours have passed, you will be
able to change position if your vital signs are stable and there is no evidence
of bleeding. After 4 hours have passed, you will be able to sit up, and will be
given something to drink. At this time the doctor will assess whether or not you
are ready to go home. Occasionally, an overnight stay in the hospital is
necessary. The physician will discuss this with you if needed.
After your procedure, you will need to avoid strenuous activities and aspirin or
aspirin-type drugs for one week. Except for these restrictions, you may continue
eating your usual meals and continue normal activities. When performed by a
knowledgeable and competent doctor, a liver biopsy is a very low risk procedure.
Very rarely, bleeding or tearing injuries may occur.
Other risks include the reactions to any medication, irritation from the
injection, collapse of the lung, or complications due to other medical illnesses
that you may already have. Occasionally, an adequate specimen cannot be
obtained. Death from this procedure is extremely rare, but the possibilities do
exist.
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Newsflash
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 The Tacoma Endoscopy Center and the Tacoma Digestive Disease Center have
earned the certificate of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for
Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
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