Some innovations in the technic of the one-second needle biopsy of the liver

The one-second liver biopsy technic, published about 18 years ago, has undergone, in the course of the years, some minor modifications, suggested by the practical experience and by the critical evaluation of published and unpublished complications. Some instrumental innovations are described. A new design skin perforator and a penetration limiter are proposed. The clinical use of biopsy needles of different size is discussed. Moreover, the importance of some technical aspects of the practical execution of the biopsy, which are frequently neglected, is pointed out. Finally, the biopsy technic, in its up-to-date version is summarized and the opportunity of a further trial to confirm the validity of the innovations suggested is emphasized.