Liver Biopsy (cont.)

Medical Author:

Michael AJ Sawyer, MD

Coauthor:

Elizabeth M Sawyer, MD, CPT, MC

Coauthor:

Kathryn L Hale, MS, PA-C

Medical Editor:

Robert J Fingerote, MD, MSc, BSc

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Julian Katz, MD

Liver Biopsy Treatment

Depending on where your biopsy is performed (office or outpatient site, x-ray department, operating room) and the approach used (surgical vs. nonsurgical), one or more of the following treatment options will apply to you:

• Intravenous fluids
• Sedative drugs
• Pain killers
• Local, regional, or general anesthesia
• Antibiotics
• Antinausea drugs
• Supplemental oxygen

Following the procedure, you will be monitored until your doctor is satisfied with your recovery. Monitoring measures will include instruments that provide information about one or more of the following:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate and rhythm
• Breathing rate
• Oxygen levels (saturation) in your bloodstream
• Urine output

Some practitioners advise that the patient be positioned on the right side for up to 2 hours and then on their back for the remainder of 24 hours total.