Health Topics

Your child will spend the night in the hospital after the biopsy.

While You Are at Home

• Your child will have special eating and drinking instructions.  We will tell you about this when you make the appointment.
• If your child takes medicine in the morning, ask the doctor if it is okay to take it before the biopsy.

When You Come to the Hospital: 

• The morning of the biopsy, your child will have an intravenous (IV) line placed. Your child will also have blood tests done that morning, and sometimes and ultrasound of the liver if needed
• Before the liver biopsy, the doctor who gives the “sleepy medicine” to your child (called an anesthesiologist) will talk with you.  You will answer questions about:

• Your child’s medical history
• Medications your child is taking
• Any other experiences with anesthesia

• If your child takes medicine in the morning, please ask the doctor if it is okay to take the medicine before the biopsy and when to do so

Liver biopsies are done in a treatment room, in radiology or in the operating room. The doctor will talk with you about where the biopsy will take place before the biopsy is scheduled.

Your child will get general anesthesia before the liver biopsy begins. There are two different ways to give the anesthesia:

• the medication is given through an IV   
• the child may breathe gas through a mask  

Anesthesia will help your child fall asleep quickly. Once your child is asleep, the airway is kept open with a breathing tube. Your child will never be alone and is watched closely during the liver biopsy.  After your child is sedated, the doctor will perform the biopsy.  

• The biopsy site is identified by the doctor on your child’s belly or right side, and is cleaned with an antibacterial soap
• Numbing medicine is given at the biopsy site
• Once the area is numb, the doctor will insert a needle through the skin and into the liver
• A very small piece of liver tissue is taken
• A small "pressure" dressing is put over the site
• Your child should recover quickly from anesthesia

• After the biopsy your child will stay in the treatment room or recovery area until they are awake.  Once awake, your child may return to his/her room.
• Your child will need to lie on his / her right side or back for 2 hours, depending on the site of the biopsy.
• Being in bed will reduce the risk of bleeding after the biopsy.
• Staff will check your child's temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen level often.
• Your child can drink fluids as long as he/she is awake and stable, and it has been at least 2 hours since the biopsy was done. Your child can start back on a regular diet once he/she can take fluids without a problem.
• Your child can do quiet activities in the room for the rest of the day.
• He / she may be out of bed only to use the bathroom.
• Please bring a few of your child's favorite books or games to the hospital.
• Call the Child Life Department for other toys, games, movies or books