How many days of hospitalization are required for a liver biopsy?
Feb 25, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jin Zhongkui
Introduction
The patient needs to undergo a liver biopsy, which generally requires a 3-day hospital stay. Getting out of bed and moving around is allowed after 24 hours, but vigorous coughing and straining during bowel movements (increasing abdominal pressure) should be avoided or minimized. Strenuous activity should be avoided during the liver biopsy to prevent adverse reactions such as bleeding, infection, or laceration at the puncture site. In daily life, patients should eat light, easily digestible food and must not drink alcohol or smoke.
Patients undergoing liver biopsy typically need to be hospitalized for 3 days. The exact length of hospitalization should be determined according to the hospital's schedule.
1. Day 1
On the first day of admission, various tests are completed, including routine blood tests, coagulation function, liver and kidney function, and liver ultrasound. Once these tests confirm there is no risk of bleeding or infection, a liver biopsy can proceed.
2. Day 2
As liver biopsy is an invasive procedure with some risk of bleeding, after the biopsy is performed on the second day, light pressure may be applied at the puncture site. Patients must strictly remain in bed for 6 hours post-procedure and may begin walking 24 hours later. Activities that increase abdominal pressure—such as vigorous coughing or straining during bowel movements—should be avoided or minimized.
3. Day 3
Although liver biopsy is minimally invasive, there remains a risk of infection, so regular dressing changes and wound monitoring are necessary. If no complications such as pain in the liver area or bleeding at the puncture site occur within 24 hours, patients may be discharged on the third day. Thus, the entire process usually takes about 3 days. The pathology report can be collected at a later visit to the hospital after discharge.
During liver biopsy, patients should avoid strenuous activity to prevent adverse events such as bleeding, infection, or laceration at the puncture site. A light, easily digestible diet is recommended, and alcohol consumption and smoking should be avoided.
