Comparison of two minimally invasive techniques for liver biopsy collection in dogs

Objectives: Biopsy quality is an essential factor for successful diagnosis of canine liver disease. Several minimally invasive methods to obtain diagnostic liver biopsies have been described. The aim of this study was to compare surgical time, possible complications and histological quality between liver biopsies obtained laparoscopically with a pre-tied ligating loop (PLL) and cup biopsy forceps (CBF).
Materials and Methods: Fifteen client owned dogs underwent laparoscopic liver biopsies for diagnosis of liver disease. Biopsies were obtained from the same liver lobe using a PLL and CBF. The resulting biopsies were evaluated for; weight, volume, histological value and the surgical time required and compared. Any surgical complications were recorded.
Results
Samples obtained with the PLL were significantly heavier and larger in volume than those obtained with CBF. The histological quality of the sample performed with the PLL was higher compared to those obtained with the CBF. The duration required to obtain a liver biopsy with the PLL was approximately double of that of the CBF.
Clinical significance
The use of a PLL is a good alternative to the CBF when performing laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs.