Liver transplant biopsies with a biopsy gun

The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of a biopsy gun for performance of image-guided percutaneous biopsy of hepatic allografts in liver transplant recipients. Two hundred fifty-two liver biopsies were performed in 58 transplant recipients over a 27-month period by using this instrument with an 18-gauge needle. Major complications occurred in two of the 252 biopsies (0.8%): One hemopneumothorax necessitated drainage with a chest tube, and one hemorrhage necessitated transfusion. No patient required surgical exploration because of a complication of the biopsy. Specimens were adequate for accurate histopathologic diagnosis in 248 of 252 procedures (98.4%). The authors conclude that image-guided percutaneous biopsy of hepatic allografts with use of the biopsy gun is a safe and accurate method of obtaining hepatic tissue from liver transplant recipients for histopathologic analysis.