[Vascular complications of needle biopsy of the liver (author's transl)]

11 complications were observed in 2,346 cases of needle biopsy (frequency 0.47%) carried out in 1,529 cases under laparoscopy, 527 cases by the intercostal route, and in 290 cases during operation. The symptoms usually appeared early, indicating bleeding. The lesions, isolated or associated were six hemoperitoneums, and 9 hematomas (including 2 subcapsular), 3 intrahepatic (1 FAV), one of the gall bladder, 3 undetermined; 5 patients out of 11 were operated on, 4 out of 11 died. The place of surgical treatment is discussed: one hemoperitoneum led to early surgical operation. An intrahepatic or subscapular hematoma may regress without sequelae. An arteriography after a liver scan should eliminate a major vascular lesion which may eventually require surgery.