Endoscopic removal of a proximally migrated biliary metallic stent

A 37-year-old Asian man had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy that was complicated by proximal common bile duct (CBD) stenosis requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) placement of a fully covered self-expandable metal biliary stent (FCSEMS) at a local hospital 8 months previously. His jaundice subsided after the initial stent placement. However, over the next 3 months, he developed recurrent abdominal pain and fever. Repeat imaging showed the stent has migrated proximally.

After multiple failed attempts at removal of the migrated stent at local hospitals, the patient was transferred to the West China Hospital (Chengdu, Sichuan, China) for stent removal. During the ERCP, fluoroscopy showed mild stricture of the distal CBD and migration of the stent from the duodenal papilla into the upper-middle common bile duct ([Fig. 1 a, b]).

Fig. 1 a A fully covered self expanding metal stent, placed 8 months previously, had migrated to the upper and middle common bile duct. b The stent had migrated entirely into the bile duct and could no longer be visualized at the duodenal papilla.

Several methods for stent removal have been reported [1] [2] [3]. We elected to dilate the CBD stricture to 1.0 cm with a biliary balloon dilator ([Fig. 2 a, b]) and attempted to use the balloon dilator to drag the stent out. However, this was unsuccessful as the stent had become embedded in the bile duct wall. We then attempted to remove the stent by means of rat-tooth forceps. After several attempts, we were finally able to grasp the distal end of the stent and pulled the stent out ([Fig. 3 a, b]; [Video 1]). A nasobiliary drain was placed after the procedure to ensure there was no bleeding. There were no post-procedure complications. The nasobiliary drain was removed and the patient was discharged 3 days afterwards. During the 3 months of follow-up, the patient experienced no particular discomfort.

Fig. 2 a Stenosis of the lower common bile duct. b Dilation to 1.0 cm with a biliary balloon dilator.

Fig. 3 a The stent was grasped using rat-tooth forceps. b The stent was pulled out of the bile duct.

Video 1: Successful endoscopic removal of a proximally migrated and embedded biliary metallic stent using rat-tooth forceps, after failed attempts at removal by means of a balloon dilator.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AK_2AD

Competing interests

None

^* Co-first authors.

• References

• 1 Cho NJ, Lee TH, Park SH. et al. Endoscopic removal of a proximally migrated metal stent during balloon sweeping after stent trimming. Clin Endosc 2013; 46: 418-422
• 2 Kawakami H, Uebayashi M, Konishi K. et al. A rare complication with extraction of proximally migrated biliary stent by using a basket catheter. Gastrointest Endosc 2008; 67: 1170-1171
• 3 Matsushita M, Takakuwa H, Nishio A. et al. Open-biopsy-forceps technique for endoscopic removal of distally migrated and impacted biliary metallic stents. Gastrointest Endosc 2003; 58: 924-927