Kidney Biopsy

A kidney biopsy can be conducted normally in one of three places. Most common area is in the acute kidney procedure room normally located on the Kidney ward you are on. Second, down in a theatre room if the kidney procedure room is unavailable and the third most common area it can take place is at your bed side. This is normally reserved for people isolating from a ward in their own side room.

You will most likely be pushed down in your bed to where the procedure will be taking place. This is because when the biopsy is finished you will have to stay lied down for several hours. In my experience here in the UK they recommend being lied down flat for 6 hours afterwards.
There are normally 2-3 people in the room when the biopsy is taking place. The doctor conducting the procedure, a doctor assistant to help with the biopsy and normally a nurse taking notes. The first thing they will do is prep you for the biopsy. They will first clean the biopsy site with a reddy brown fluid. This is most likely povidone iodine or chloroprep (chlorhexidine). Both these fluids remove decontaminate as well as sterilize the area. They will then drape a sterile sheet over the area.

Now they will perform an ultrasound. This is so they can see the best place to do the biopsy and to see how deep the biopsy needle needs to go in (normally 1-2cm). The doctor will then make a little pen make on the area they will needle. Now for the local anesthetic. This is injected around the needle site just above the surface and a little deeper closer to the kidney and this takes a few minutes to take effect. Before a small incision is made the doctor will check to make sure the area is properly numbed.

Now its time for the procedure to start. A small incision is made above the site of the kidney. The cut is no more the half a cm. Just big enough to get the biopsy needle in. Now the doctor will insert the strip loaded needle in the incision and into the kidney. You will feel some pushing and tugging but no pain. You may feel a little discomfort. Once to doctor has confirm the needle is in the correct place in the kidney (checking with the ultrasound wand) he will pull the lever on the needle. You will hear a click and feel a push. This is normal. What has just happened is the needle his gone into the kidney and pull out a sample of kidney tissue which the lab can examine. Depending on how good the sample is that is collected they may have to do this a couple more times. They like to collect 2-3 good samples.

Once all samples are collected the needle is removed and a dressing put over the incision. They will then apply pressure to the site to stop any bleeding that may have occurred during the procedure. Once any bleeding has stopped, they will remove the sterile drape from you and clean up the site. Once done you will be taken back to you ward/room.

You will have to stay lying flat for several hours. For me it was for up to 6 hours. Within the time the nurse will keep a close eye on you and your stats to make sure there is no internal bleeding. The first time you pee after a kidney biopsy you may notice some blood. This is completely normal but something you should let your nurse know.

Once you time is up for lying down you can get up and walk about. But take it steady to start with due to how long you have been lying down for. They would hope to get result back in my experience with in 3-5 day and plan the correct course of treatment.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask and I will try my best to answer them.