Getting Ready for a Liver Biopsy in the GI Clinic

 

What is a Liver Biopsy?

 

The liver is a large organ that sits in the right side of the abdomen, under the ribs.  During a liver biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed from the liver and later checked under a microscope for signs of disease.  The biopsy takes only a few minutes, but you remain in the hospital for 4 hours after the procedure.

 

Important – Read 1 week in advance. Procedure may be cancelled if instructions are not followed

 

Getting Ready

 

1.   5 days before the procedure, you should stop taking:

• Aspirin and anti-inflammatory or anti- arthritic medicines.  Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
• Blood thinning medicines such as Coumadin® (warfarin) or Plavix® (clopidigrel).  Get detailed instructions from the doctor who prescribed these medicines for you.

2.   Diabetic medicines (oral and insulin) will need to be adjustedfor

      the time you are not eating as normal.  Please discuss this with your 

      primary doctor.

 

3.   You must have an adult take you home and stay with you for 16

      hours after you are discharged.  You may take a cab or bus home only

      if you have a responsible adult with you other than the driver.

 

4.   Plan ahead. You will be given sedatives which can greatly affect your

      judgment.  On the day of your procedure:

• Plan to rest after you leave here.
• Do not return to work.
• Do not use hazardous machinery.
• Do not make any important decisions.
• Do not drive for the rest of the day

5.  Our staff will review your health history, prior surgeries, allergies, and

     medicines taken.  Please bring this information with you.

 

6.   You may wish to bring a book or other quiet activity to do during your

      recovery.

 

Day of the Liver Biopsy

 

• No solid food after midnight.
• You may drink clear liquids before your procedure (i.e., coffee, tea, water, apple juice, soda, and Gatorade®).
• Take your normal medicines with a small sip of clear liquid up to 1 hour before you arrive.  Do not take the medicines and supplements mentioned under “Getting Ready”.
• Follow the arrival and registration instructions in your cover letter.  If you are delayed, call us at (608) 263-8094 to let us know you are going to be late.  If you are over 30 minutes late, we may have to cancel and reschedule.  We do our best to stay on time.
• Plan to be with us about 6 hours.  Your driver will need to be available in our waiting room or by phone.

 

The Liver Biopsy

 

If you haven’t already done blood work for the liver biopsy, it will be drawn shortly after you arrive.  A nurse will review your health history and place a small needle in the vein of your arm (an IV).  The IV is used to give medicines which make you feel drowsy and relaxed.  In the procedure room, a site for your biopsy will be chosen, often guided by ultrasound.  The skin is numbed and the tissue sample is withdrawn using a special needle.  This takes about 30 minutes.

 

You will then go to our Recovery Room for 4 hours.  Your driver may sit with you there.  Occasionally, patients need to stay in the hospital overnight after their liver biopsy.

In Recovery after the Liver Biopsy

 

• A pressure dressing will be applied over the biopsy site.  You must lie on your right side for 2 hours, then you may recline in bed.  You may get out of bed only to use the bathroom.
• After the numbing medicine wears off, you may feel some discomfort.  Please ask for pain pills, if needed.
• You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything for 2 hours after the biopsy.  You may then resume your normal diet.
• Your doctor will see you before discharge and answer any questions.  We will ask you to schedule a clinic visit to discuss with the doctor the results of your liver biopsy.

 

How to Contact Us

 

GI Procedrue Center, between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM weekdays,  (608) 263-8094, select option #2. 

 

After clinic hours, this number will give you the paging operator.  Ask for the Gastroenterology (GI) doctor on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942.

 

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know at least 5 days in advance.

 

The Spanish version of this HFFY is #6507.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 03/26/2009

Copyright © 03/25/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4517

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