A Systematic Review of Complications Associated With Percutaneous Native Kidney Biopsies in Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Shepherd Kajawo, Udeme E. Ekrikpo, Mothusi Walter Moloi, Jean Jacques Noubiap, Mohamed A. Osman, Ugochi S. Okpechi‐Samuel, André Pascal Kengne, Aminu K. Bello, Ikechi G. Okpechi
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Kidney biopsy is an important tool for making diagnoses and for assessing the drug treatment requirements and disease prognosis in the management of kidney diseases. There are variations in the rate of complications associated with kidney biopsies across countries, and this depends on various clinical and technical factors. The aim of this study is to report on complications associated with kidney biopsy performed in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: tudies in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, and African Journals Online. A random effects meta-analysis method was used to pool estimates of complications. RESULTS: = 0.588). Major complications included macroscopic hematuria (1.48%), nephrectomy (0.04%), blood loss requiring red cell transfusion (0.24%), angiographic intervention (0.22%), and death (0.01%). CONCLUSION: Complications associated with kidney biopsy in low- and middle-income countries are low, are comparable to those in other settings, and occur more sparingly when real-time ultrasound techniques or automated kidney biopsy needles are used. This suggests the need to expand the use of this procedure to improve diagnosis of kidney pathologies and choice of therapy when indicated.