Research Article
Liver biopsy as a day-case procedure: selection and complications in 200 consecutive patients.
Br Med J 1980; 281 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.281.6251.1331 (Published 15 November 1980) Cite this as: Br Med J 1980;281:1331
- D Westaby,
- B R MacDougall,
- R Williams
Abstract
The selection of 200 consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy as a day-case procedure and subsequent complications were reviewed, In 59 patients a diagnosis of cirrhosis was confirmed by histological examination. Six patients developed minor complications attributable to the procedure and had to stay longer in hospital, and another returned with abdominal pain the evening after the biopsy. With careful selection of patients, liver biopsy may be safely undertaken on a day-case basis.