EVALUATION OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC LIVER BIOPSY TECHNIQUE WITH BABCOCK FORCEPS IN CADAVERS AND CANINE PATIENTS

Considering that laparoscopic liver biopsy is a diagnostic technique but often relies on specialized equipment, evaluating accessible alternatives is necessary. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of a laparoscopic liver biopsy technique using Babcock forceps. To this end, we proceeded to a two-phase study: an initial ex vivo phase comparing Babcock and conventional forceps in a bovine fetus model, followed by an in vivo phase in six canine patients with suspected liver disease. We assessed procedural time, sample quality (area, crushing artifacts, number of portal spaces), and complications. Thus, it is observed that the technique was rapid (mean 13.2 minutes) and no intraoperative hemorrhage occurred. The samples were sufficient for the production of histopathological sections and diagnosis, with a crushing artifact of 21.62% that did not preclude a definitive histopathological diagnosis for conditions including neoplasia, cholangitis, and chronic hepatopathies. This allows us to conclude that the laparoscopic liver biopsy technique using Babcock forceps is a feasible, safe, and efficient method, being a viable alternative for obtaining liver samples in dogs.