USEFULNESS OF A NEWLY DEVISED LIVER BIOPSY NEEDLE

Abstract

We designed a disposable liver biopsy needle which is safe to obtain enough specimens at one procedure and fits an apparatus to stop bleeding. So far we used this needle in 521 cases with liver diseases under laparoscopy and could obtain satisfactory results. Handling of this needle was very easy and liver specimens were obtained enough for diagnosis at one procedure, even if an operator was bigginer. Bleeding was smaller in quantity as an outer diameter of this needle was smaller than that of VimSilverman needle for almost the same size specimen, and liver tissues were not damaged so much structurally. We usually injected 8% -sodium polymannuronate in the needle after biopsy and hemostasis was more effective. Regarding rates of success is biopsy and morbidity, this needle was superior to other needles reported previously. We thought that this disposable needle would be desirable for prevention from viral hepatitis.