LIVER BIOPSY
A liver needle biopsy is a procedure done to get a sample of liver tissue. We can then examine the liver tissue in the lab. A liver biopsy is performed after a CT scan or Ultrasound, to check for abnormal cells. The liver biopsy procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Expected Outcomes
- You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure.
- You will have a CT scan or Ultrasound before and during the procedure so we know exactly where to perform the biopsy.
- You may have medication to help you relax. It is important to stay still and not cough during the procedure.
- We may ask you to lie down on a table or cart.
- We will scrub the area of skin to clean it. We will then inject some medicine to numb the surrounding area of skin. This may sting for a short time.
- We will make a small cut in the skin, then insert the biopsy needle, into your liver. You may feel pressure and/or a sharp pain when the needle enters the liver.
- We will get sample(s) of liver tissue, remove the needle, and place pressure over the incision.
- We will send the sample(s) to the lab and may take a chest x-ray.
- We may ask you to lie on your right side for several hours.
- Possible Complications
- Collapsed lung
- Bleeding
- Infection
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
Diet:
Activity:
Wound/incisional/ Device Care:
- Avoid touching your incision.
- Keep the incision clean and dry. You may remove the dressing to shower
Pain management:
- You may take Tylenol or acetaminophen for pain
Medication Changes:
- If you are on blood thinners you may restart them in 24 hrs.
- Take all other medications as your doctor prescribed.
Post Procedure signs/symptom to be expected:
- Tenderness/pain at procedure site
- Bruising at procedure site
Routine post procedural care:
- Sedation- If you received sedation for your procedure, the medication is still in your system. Therefore, we would like for you to take it easy for the rest of the day (do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol).
- Avoid strenuous activity for the next 2 days.
- You may shower the following day.
- Have someone else drive you home today.
- Care of your biopsy site- You will have a small bandage or bandaid over the biopsy site, which you may remove after 24 hours. Keep the site dry and clean.
- Post procedure signs/symptoms that require notification of your physician
Call your physician if any of the following occurs (if you are unable to get hold of your physician Contact the Medical Society):
- Redness, pus or increased pain in the area of the incision.
- Fever over 101 degrees (by Mouth)
- Bleeding from the area of the incision.
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat.
- Pale or blue color to your skin.
- Dizziness.
- Chest pain
- Severe pain
- You have severe pain not relieved by pain medication
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
Post procedure signs and symptoms that require immediate attention. Proceed to your nearest Emergency Department/or call 911 for following:
- Uncontrolled bleeding, hold pressure over bleeding site.
- Severe chest pain
- Severe trouble breathing
Date and time to see next see your physician:
Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled follow up appointment date and time.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.
LIVER BIOPSY
A liver needle biopsy is a procedure done to get a sample of liver tissue. We can then examine the liver tissue in the lab. A liver biopsy is performed after a CT scan or Ultrasound, to check for abnormal cells. The liver biopsy procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Expected Outcomes
- You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure.
- You will have a CT scan or Ultrasound before and during the procedure so we know exactly where to perform the biopsy.
- You may have medication to help you relax. It is important to stay still and not cough during the procedure.
- We may ask you to lie down on a table or cart.
- We will scrub the area of skin to clean it. We will then inject some medicine to numb the surrounding area of skin. This may sting for a short time.
- We will make a small cut in the skin, then insert the biopsy needle, into your liver. You may feel pressure and/or a sharp pain when the needle enters the liver.
- We will get sample(s) of liver tissue, remove the needle, and place pressure over the incision.
- We will send the sample(s) to the lab and may take a chest x-ray.
- We may ask you to lie on your right side for several hours.
- Possible Complications
- Collapsed lung
- Bleeding
- Infection
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
Diet:
Activity:
Wound/incisional/ Device Care:
- Avoid touching your incision.
- Keep the incision clean and dry. You may remove the dressing to shower
Pain management:
- You may take Tylenol or acetaminophen for pain
Medication Changes:
- If you are on blood thinners you may restart them in 24 hrs.
- Take all other medications as your doctor prescribed.
Post Procedure signs/symptom to be expected:
- Tenderness/pain at procedure site
- Bruising at procedure site
Routine post procedural care:
- Sedation- If you received sedation for your procedure, the medication is still in your system. Therefore, we would like for you to take it easy for the rest of the day (do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol).
- Avoid strenuous activity for the next 2 days.
- You may shower the following day.
- Have someone else drive you home today.
- Care of your biopsy site- You will have a small bandage or bandaid over the biopsy site, which you may remove after 24 hours. Keep the site dry and clean.
- Post procedure signs/symptoms that require notification of your physician
Call your physician if any of the following occurs (if you are unable to get hold of your physician Contact the Medical Society):
- Redness, pus or increased pain in the area of the incision.
- Fever over 101 degrees (by Mouth)
- Bleeding from the area of the incision.
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat.
- Pale or blue color to your skin.
- Dizziness.
- Chest pain
- Severe pain
- You have severe pain not relieved by pain medication
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
Post procedure signs and symptoms that require immediate attention. Proceed to your nearest Emergency Department/or call 911 for following:
- Uncontrolled bleeding, hold pressure over bleeding site.
- Severe chest pain
- Severe trouble breathing
Date and time to see next see your physician:
Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled follow up appointment date and time.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.
LIVER BIOPSY
A liver needle biopsy is a procedure done to get a sample of liver tissue. We can then examine the liver tissue in the lab. A liver biopsy is performed after a CT scan or Ultrasound, to check for abnormal cells. The liver biopsy procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Expected Outcomes
- You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure.
- You will have a CT scan or Ultrasound before and during the procedure so we know exactly where to perform the biopsy.
- You may have medication to help you relax. It is important to stay still and not cough during the procedure.
- We may ask you to lie down on a table or cart.
- We will scrub the area of skin to clean it. We will then inject some medicine to numb the surrounding area of skin. This may sting for a short time.
- We will make a small cut in the skin, then insert the biopsy needle, into your liver. You may feel pressure and/or a sharp pain when the needle enters the liver.
- We will get sample(s) of liver tissue, remove the needle, and place pressure over the incision.
- We will send the sample(s) to the lab and may take a chest x-ray.
- We may ask you to lie on your right side for several hours.
- Possible Complications
- Collapsed lung
- Bleeding
- Infection
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
Diet:
Activity:
Wound/incisional/ Device Care:
- Avoid touching your incision.
- Keep the incision clean and dry. You may remove the dressing to shower
Pain management:
- You may take Tylenol or acetaminophen for pain
Medication Changes:
- If you are on blood thinners you may restart them in 24 hrs.
- Take all other medications as your doctor prescribed.
Post Procedure signs/symptom to be expected:
- Tenderness/pain at procedure site
- Bruising at procedure site
Routine post procedural care:
- Sedation- If you received sedation for your procedure, the medication is still in your system. Therefore, we would like for you to take it easy for the rest of the day (do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol).
- Avoid strenuous activity for the next 2 days.
- You may shower the following day.
- Have someone else drive you home today.
- Care of your biopsy site- You will have a small bandage or bandaid over the biopsy site, which you may remove after 24 hours. Keep the site dry and clean.
- Post procedure signs/symptoms that require notification of your physician
Call your physician if any of the following occurs (if you are unable to get hold of your physician Contact the Medical Society):
- Redness, pus or increased pain in the area of the incision.
- Fever over 101 degrees (by Mouth)
- Bleeding from the area of the incision.
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat.
- Pale or blue color to your skin.
- Dizziness.
- Chest pain
- Severe pain
- You have severe pain not relieved by pain medication
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
Post procedure signs and symptoms that require immediate attention. Proceed to your nearest Emergency Department/or call 911 for following:
- Uncontrolled bleeding, hold pressure over bleeding site.
- Severe chest pain
- Severe trouble breathing
Date and time to see next see your physician:
Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled follow up appointment date and time.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.