Profile of liver biopsy in monitoring postoperative patients in a pediatric hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Liver biopsies are performed to assess post transplant issues that may affect allograft function. There are points to be clarified as to the occurrence of histological alterations in the pediatric population and their meaning. Purpose: Analyze findings in post-transplant liver biopsy in pediatric patients at our service. Methods: An assessment of our pediatric liver transplant service records with patients being followed-up in December 2013. Histological findings were classified as inflammation, fibrosis, rejection, cholestasis and steatosis. Indications and correlation of those findings were described. Results: 105 post transplant liver biopsies in 53 patients were described. The most common findings were inflammation (87%) and portal fibrosis (47.2%). A survey of the fibrosis occurrence was detected related to the after transplantation period. Ductular proliferation was associated with serious complications. Among the protocol biopsies, 77.3% showed abnormal findings such as fibrosis, inflammation, rejection and cholestasis., protocol liver biopsies and progressive allograft fibrosis were discussed. Conclusion: Histological abnormalities are common in these patients, even with no strong clinical correlation. Increase in allograft fibrosis occurrence over time was observed. Further studies need to assess indications of the liver biopsy protocol.