Liver biopsy - Is it painful?!
Question:
Liver biopsy - Is it painful?
Additional Details
2 days ago
And is it done under a local or general?
Answers:
It's not painful. You shouldn't feel the stick -- maybe just some pressure.
Local anesthetic is used. Conscious sedation is used for young children or anyone else who can't be trusted to hold still.
The liver can and does bleed a lot. To avoid a situation where someone bleeds to death, after the biopsy you will be instructed to lie on your right side. That puts pressure on your liver and helps seal off the puncture. In addition, your hematocrit will be checked repeatedly. (This is a finger stick blood test that helps determine any internal bleeding.)
Take a book or music or something. You may have to lie there for up to 4 hours after the biopsy.