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How Do I Approach Pain After Liver Biopsy?

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Gastrointestinal Emergencies

Abstract

Liver biopsy is generally a safe procedure with a low complication rate. While pain after liver biopsy is common, occurring in ~ 80% of patients, the post-procedure complication rate is 0.22–1.06%. The most common significant complication is hemorrhage, but numerous other complications can occur, including pneumothorax and visceral perforation. Pain, although a frequently present post-procedure, is also the most common manifestation of biopsy-associated hemorrhage. Patients who present with significant pain after liver biopsy often require lab work, imaging studies, and sometimes special consultation.

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Correspondence to Robert M. Brickley .

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Brickley, R.M., Prunty, H.A. (2019). How Do I Approach Pain After Liver Biopsy?. In: Graham, A., Carlberg, D.J. (eds) Gastrointestinal Emergencies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98343-1_132

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98343-1_132

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