Radiology
You must have a responsible adult staying with you overnight.
You should rest for the remainder of the day and possibly the next day, depending on how soon you recover. You should avoid intense activity, exercise, or heavy lifting during this time. Most patients recover from a liver biopsy in one to two days.
You can expect a little soreness at the incision site and experience some pain in your right shoulder. This pain is caused by irritation of the diaphragm muscle (the pain usually radiates to the shoulder) and should disappear within a few hours but may last for a few days.
Take your normal pain relief medication or analgesia if you have any pain (ie Paracetamol). However, you must not take aspirin for 24 hours following your procedure.
Bleeding from the wound site is very rare but if there is any, press on the wound site for about 10 to 20 minutes and it should stop. If not, seek medical advice.
- Do not remove or get the dressing wet for the first 24 hours
- You may change the dressing if it becomes heavily soiled
- You must not fly for 48 hours
- Avoid contact sports for 6 to 8 weeks following your biops
- Liver biopsy is safe and associated with low risk
Complications can occur but are uncommon.
Seek help
Seek medical advice and report any of the following:
- A temperature above 38° – Fever and, or chills
- Redness, swelling, warmth, bleeding or any other drainage from the biopsy site
- Increased pain around the biopsy site or elsewhere
- Shortness of breath and, or difficulty breathing
Contact us
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Radiology Day Unit:-
Telephone: 01642 854332
Monday to Friday, 08:00 until 17:00
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]