ABSTRACT
To determine the safety, complication rate and cost saving of outpatient percutaneous blind needle liver biopsy in a single tertiary care center, we retrospectively reviewed the records of all 117 patients who had had outpatient percutaneous blind needle liver biopsy from March 1994 to September 1995. We reviewed data including demography, Child's classification, histopathology report and complications, and attempted to compare the cost involved with inpatient liver biopsy. Of the 117 records studied, two were incomplete. Of the 115 patients who had complete records, 43 [37.4%] had minor complications, 2 [1.7%] required overnight hospitalization for pain and hypotension, and the procedure failed in one patient [0.9%]. There was no correlation between complications and Child's classification, or concomitant chronic renal failure. In comparison to inpatient liver biopsy, we calculated that the saving made is about 1800 Saudi Rivals [Dollar 478.70] per operation, if performed on an outpatient basis. We conclude that outpatient percutaneous blind needle liver biopsy is safe, successful in more than 99% of cases, associated with no mortality, has negligible major complications requiring hospital admission, and results in considerable savings per biopsy. We therefore strongly recommend performing most liver biopsies on an outpatient basis, in the appropriate hospital setting, unless hospital admission is otherwise indicated