“How long do you stay in the hospital after a kidney biopsy?”

Either immediate release or several days.

Usually 6 hrs or overnight depending on the facility policy. But if a complication happens like bleeding, you have to stay until the complications are under control.

Kidney biopsies are prone to bleeding because 25% of the cardiac output goes to the kidneys. They are really well perfused. While a small bleed cannot be avoided, it is of utmost importance to make the procedure as safe as possible. Before the biopsy, blood tests will be performed to guarantee that there is no increased risk of bleeding. The time at the hospital after a kidney biopsy varies by institution and methodology. I can only comment on the procedure for children and adolescents. In our institution, we perform kidney biopsies as a one-day stay procedure. Two of the paediatric nephrologists had extensive training in the procedure. We use a real-time ultrasound-guided approach, which allows us to go to the lower pole of the left kidney and get 2-3 passes at the lowest part of the kidney, which reduces bleeding. We do the procedure under full anaesthesia and in the case of infants, with intubation, to allow for a controlled stop of breathing for a few seconds when performing the biopsy. This approach leads to minimal bleeding. Patients then recover and remain prone for 4 hours. A repeat renal ultrasound assesses for additional bleeding after that time, since most of the bleeds occur within the first few hours. Usually, there is no worsening. Typically, patients are discharged after they had a meal after the ultrasound. Patients who live more than 2 hours away are asked to remain close to the hospital at the Ronald McDonald House so that they can be reassessed in case of any problem.
In other institutions, the procedure may be different, depending on local resources, the technique used, and the risk profile of the patient. Each institution has to decide what is safest for the patient. It may also vary on the acuity of the reason for a kidney biopsy. An acute kidney injury leading to rapid deterioration of kidney function may require a kidney biopsy and obviously, you would be an inpatient in that case. Hope this helps.

You would go home the same day after a few hours of observation to make sure you do not develop blood in the urine and or acute flank pain post-biopsy. Please consult your doctor for more questions you may have about the procedure. Thanks.