[Percutaneous liver biopsy in outpatients]

We studied prospectively 44 patients with diffuse liver disease. We performed percutaneous liver biopsy in these outpatients. They were required to be in absolute response during the following 4-6 hours after the biopsy was completed. After that period, they could go home and have a relative rest for the remnant day. These patients were followed by clinical evaluation and by real time abdominal ultrasound. We found some complications: Transitory arterial hypotension, pain in the site of puncture, hepatic hematomas. Only one of the patients with hematomas required hospitalization during 24 hours. The mortality was 0%. According to our experience, the hepatic biopsy is a procedure that can be performed in outpatients with a wide margin of security. An important point of view to consider is the economic advantage since it means a decrease in costs by each hepatic biopsy accomplished considering the cost/day of hospitalization.