Mini-laparoscopy in the endoscopy unit:Safety and outcomes in over one thousand patients

AIM:To investigate the safety of consecutive mini-lapar oscopy guided liver biopsies for the diagnosis and staging of liver diseases. METHODS: In this study we retrospectively analyzed the safety of mini-laparoscopic liver biopsy performed in an endoscopy unit in 1071 patients. We measured the incidence of bleeding and evaluated the management and outcome of bleeding interventions.were viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver disease. 250 patients had macroscopically and histologically proven cirrhosis. 13 patients had no pathological f indings. 33% of all patients had bleeding that required argon plasma coagulation of the puncture site during laparoscopy. Signif icant bleeding occurred more often in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to non-cirrhotic liver dise ases but was effectively treated with laparoscopic coag ulation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, mini-laparoscopy liver biopsy can be performed safely and effectively in high risk patients with advanced liver disease; mini-lapar osc opy with liver biopsy can be done safely in an endos copy unit.