Migration of plastic biliary stents and endoscopic retrieval: an experience of three referral centers.
BACKGROUND
Proximal or distal migration of a plastic biliary stent is uncommon, but its management can be a technical challenge to the pancreatobiliary endoscopist.


METHODS
All cases (n=51) of proximally and distally migrated plastic biliary stents over an 8-year period at 3 referral pancreaticobiliary centers were included in this retrospective study. Indications for stenting, risk factors for migration, presentation of migration, and various techniques used for stent's retrieval are herein analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty-one proximal and 30 distal bile duct-migrated stents were identified. All patients with proximally and 17 (56.7%) with distally migrated stents were symptomatic. Choledocholithiasis, dilated common bile duct, short and large size stent were the main risk factors. The retrieval of proximally migrated stents was successful in 15 patients (71.4%) and in all symptomatic patients with distal migration. The retrieval techniques included forceps, Dormia basket, snare, Soehendra stent retriever, and balloon. One patient died of sepsis due to peritonitis from duodenal perforation from a distally migrated stent.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrieval of a proximally migrated stent requires experience with different endoscopic devices. Moreover, distal migration needs attention because it can cause severe complications.
Katsinelos
Panagiotis
P
Department of Endoscopy and Motility Unit, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Thesaloniki, Greece. gchatzim@med.auth.gr
Kountouras
Jannis
J
Paroutoglou
George
G
Chatzimavroudis
Grigoris
G
Paikos
Dimitris
D
Zavos
Christos
C
Karakousis
Konstantinos
K
Gelas
George
G
Tzilves
Dimitris
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D055815:Young Adult