Development and Complications of Blind and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Liver Biopsy Techniques in Donkeys (Equus asinus)

The present study was designed to develop blind (BL) and ultrasound-guided (UG) liver biopsy (LB) techniques in donkeys (Equus asinus) and assess the complication rates of both techniques. Forty donkeys were included in this study. Based on the LB technique and biopsy site, the animals were allocated into four groups as BL biopsy at the 13th intercostal space (ICS) (BL13, n = 10), BL14 (n = 10), UG13 (n = 10), and UG14 (n = 10). All animals underwent liver ultrasonography prior to the biopsy procedure and then kept for 2-day observation period postbiopsy. The ultrasonographic thickness of the liver was higher at the 13th and 14th ICSs than the 12th and 15th ICSs (P < .05). The liver was partially covered by the lung at the most upper part of the 13th ICS. No mortality or major complications were observed. Follow-up ultrasonography revealed no serious complications, except a case in BL13 group exhibited a subcutaneous hematoma. The mean values of erythrocytic count and packed cell volume were significantly lowered in the BL13 group in comparison with their prebiopsy values (P < .05). All the biopsy specimens (40/40) were adequate for histopathological assessment. Mean specimen length and tissue fragmentation were significantly higher in the BL groups than UG ones (P < .001). In conclusion, percutaneous UG LB is a safe and accurate procedure and can be performed easily in donkeys. Blind LB at the 13th ICS is not recommended; however, it can be done safely at the 14th ICS.