Liver Biopsy
Prep Instructions
See the prep instructions below for this procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
None Available At This Time
Description
A liver biopsy is performed to diagnose liver disorders by examining liver tissue.
The physician obtains a small specimen of tissue by inserting a needle directly into the liver, through the abdomen.
(Image used by permission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.)
The total procedure takes only fifteen minutes, but you will remain in the hospital for up to twenty-three hours after the procedure.
Preparation
No aspirin products, non-steroidal medications, or blood thinners 10 days prior to the procedure.
Have nothing to each or drink from midnight the night before the procedure.
TOP ^Procedure
Report to Patient Registration at Troy Beaumont Hospital approximately 45 minutes before the procedure.
There is no sedation for this procedure, but medication is given to help you relax, as there will be discomfort.
An area of the abdomen is cleaned and draped, and the physician will administer an anesthetic to numb the area. You may experience a stinging sensation and brief discomfort from this.
You will need to lie still and hold your breath while the physician inserts the biopsy needle into the liver. The procedure may cause a sensation of pressure and discomfort, but the needle will only remain in the liver for approximately one second.
Recovery
You will remain in the hospital on complete bed rest for several hours after the procedure to ensure there are no side effects from the biopsy.
The nursing staff will monitor your vital signs and will check for any signs of bleeding or bile peritonitis-tenderness, together with any symptoms of rigidity of the abdomen or biopsy site.
There may be slight discomfort for several hours after the procedure.
Sources of Additional Information
- National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse
- Liver Biopsy
- (An overview of liver biopsy.)
Free Pamphlet From NDDIC: Liver Biopsy
