Liver Biopsy Informed Consent

# Liver Biopsy Informed Consent > **Important — not medical advice.** For use by a licensed provider; tailor risks/benefits/alternatives to the patient and your institution's protocols and state law. **Patient Name:** ___________ **Date of Birth:** ___________ **Medical Record Number:** ___________ **Performing Physician:** ___________ **Scheduled Procedure Date:** ___________ **Biopsy Approach:** ___________ --- ## 1. Description of the Procedure A liver biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of liver tissue is removed for microscopic examination. The tissue sample allows pathologists to evaluate liver cell structure, the degree of inflammation and fibrosis (scarring), and to identify specific disease processes that cannot be determined by blood tests or imaging alone. **Percutaneous liver biopsy (most common):** A thin needle is passed through the skin and into the liver, guided by ultrasound or CT imaging. One to three passes are typically made to obtain adequate tissue samples. Local anesthetic is injected into the skin and tissue overlying the liver before needle insertion. The procedure takes approximately 15–30 minutes. **Transjugular liver biopsy:** A catheter is introduced through a vein in the neck (internal jugular vein) and advanced through the venous system into a hepatic vein, from which a biopsy needle is deployed into the liver parenchyma. Used when percutaneous biopsy is higher risk due to coagulopathy, ascites, or vascular liver lesion. **Laparoscopic liver biopsy:** Performed surgically with a camera and instruments inserted through small abdominal incisions under general anesthesia. Used when surface lesions require direct visualization or when other approaches are not feasible. **Indication(s) for this procedure:** ___________ --- ## 2. Expected Benefits Liver biopsy provides information that cannot be obtained by any other means, including: