Complication Rate after Percutaneous Liver Biopsy Using a Real-time Ultrasound Approach and Introducing a Uniform Methodology: A Brief Report.

Abstract

Following the initial liver biopsy attempts, several techniques using a wide range of methodologies and materials were developed. Many studies on the evaluation of post-liver biopsy complications were conducted. However, their fundamental limitation was significant variance in patient demographics and methodology, which might account for the inconsistent outcomes. Therefore, a uniform methodology to perform percutaneous liver biopsies that result in comparable outcomes around the world is required. This study aimed to determine the precise complication rate following percutaneous liver biopsy using a consistent method in all individuals. It also aimed to establish a consistent operating procedure for a percutaneous liver biopsy that yielded comparable outcomes. Between July 2018 and July 2019, 116 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study for percutaneous liver biopsy. All individuals underwent a biopsy using the same procedure. There was an attempt to exclude elements that could have an impact on the complication rate. For this purpose, the same type and size of needle were utilized. Moreover, a single needle pass, a subcostal approach, deep inspiration breath holding, identical pre- and post-biopsy preparation, real-time ultrasonography guidance, the use of a single operator, and the absence of sedation or general anesthesia were the other approaches that were used to minimize the impact of variables that could raise complication rates. The overall complication rate was 19.8%, of which 18.9% of patients experienced pain and mild bleeding, and one patient (0.9%) experienced hematoma necessitating precautionary hospitalization. The overall percentage of patients who experienced pain was 13.8%. No further complications were observed. The findings of this study could provide an accurate estimate of the post-liver biopsy complication rate. Furthermore, due to a lower complication rate than other practiced procedures, this uniform methodology could be an attractive alternative in clinical practice. However, more research is required to confirm these results.