These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: A randomised study on the efficacy and safety of an automated Tru-Cut needle for percutaneous liver biopsy.
    Author: de Man RA, van Buuren HR, Hop WC.
    Journal: Neth J Med; 2004 Dec; 62(11):441-5. PubMed ID: 15685894.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: We studied whether the theoretical advantages of a spring-loaded liver biopsy needle exist in clinical practice and if so if they are dependent upon the experience of the physician performing the biopsy. METHODS: In a stratified randomised study we enrolled 215 consecutive patients to compare the safety and efficacy of a new automatic biopsy gun (Acecut) with that of a standard Tru-Cut needle. RESULTS: A total of 464 biopsies were performed. The endpoints of the study were number of needle passes needed per patient, tissue yield of each needle pass and post-biopsy complications. The performance of the automatic needle was superior and more consistent with respect to tissue yield compared with the Tru-Cut needle (median yield 100% and 80%, respectively; p < 0.001). The difference was most marked for inexperienced physicians. There was no difference between the two needles in the number of passes needed. More post-biopsy pain and post-biopsy use of analgesics were observed in the automatic needle group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The automatic Tru-Cut needle offers an advantage, particularly for physicians with no or limited experience in liver biopsies. However more post-biopsy pain and post-biopsy use of analgesics were observed in the automatic needle group.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]