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

AIM: To investigate the safety of consecutive mini-laparoscopy 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. RESULTS: The most common etiologies of liver injury were viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver disease. 250 patients had macroscopically and histologically proven cirrhosis. 13 patients had no pathological findings. 33% of all patients had bleeding that required argon plasma coagulation of the puncture site during laparoscopy. Significant bleeding occurred more often in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to non-cirrhotic liver diseases but was effectively treated with laparoscopic coagulation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, mini-laparoscopy liver biopsy can be performed safely and effectively in high risk patients with advanced liver disease; mini-laparoscopy with liver biopsy can be done safely in an endoscopy unit.