Why do I need it?
A biopsy helps the doctor to diagnose what is wrong with your liver and to decide the best treatment for you. In some cases, treatment may not be available, but the biopsy will still help to get a clearer picture of what may lie ahead with regards to your liver function.

Do I need general anaesthesia? Is there any pain?
No. You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area where the biopsy needle is inserted. You will be awake throughout the procedure. You will feel some pressure and mild pain when the needle is inserted.

How is the biopsy carried out?
The biopsy is carried in a specail ward or treatment room. You will lie on your front. An ultrasound machine may be used to scan you and find the best place for the biopsy. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic and numb the area with local anaesthetic. A fine needle is inserted to introduce more local anaesthetic at a deeper level. The biopsy is then taken with a special needle. You will be asked to take deep breaths and to hold your breath for a few seconds. The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes.

Biopsy of a transplanted liver
If a biopsy is taken following a transplant, the procedure is the same.

Do I have to prepare?
If you are on aspirin (which liver patients shouldn't take), you must stop taking it seven days before you have your biopsy as there is a slight risk of bleeding with aspirin. You can safely restart it after the biopsy. If you are on warfarin or aspirin, please contact the hospital. You can eat and drink normally and take any other normal medication. You may be asked to phone the hosptial the day before admission to check that a bed will be available. You may be asked to phone on the morning of your biopsy to make sure that an emergency case has not taken your place. Blood tests may also be taken on the day of biopsy. An overnight stay is sometimes necessary again check with your hospital.

Are there any risks?
The main risk is bleeding. You may have a small amount of blood in your urine and some soreness around the liver area. This is not uncommon, does not require treatment and should pass after two or three days. Only one to two per cent of patients needs a blood transfusion. In very rare situations further intervention may be necessary to stop bleeding.

What happens after the procedure?
After the biopsy, you will lie flat on a bed for six hours. The staff will monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly and check for any bleeding. You will be allowed up after six hours. You may need to stay overnight. Sometimes you are allowed home the same day if the biopsy is done early in the day and there are no problems. This is decided on a case by case basis by the ward staff.

What happens when I leave hospital?
You should:
rest for the remainder of the day.
take normal painkillers like paracetamol if you have any pain
avoid heavy lifting and contact sports for one week

Contact the hospital wards if:
you have severe pain where the biopsy was carried out or
your urine is very red or contains any clots or
you feel unwell in any way.

Source: http://www.kingshealth.com/patients/index.htm