Endoscopic “cutting” of a trapped Dormia basket

Mechanical lithotripsy is effective for removal of large bile duct stones during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) but is a complex procedure with a risk of complications [1]. The availability of alternative techniques to extract difficult stones (i. e. endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation [EPLBD] and cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy) [2] has resulted in a decline in the use of mechanical lithotripsy. Nevertheless, cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy is an advanced technique, not widely available, and is still expensive.

Complications of mechanical lithotripsy can be challenging to manage. We describe a method of removing a trapped Dormia basket.

A 78-year-old woman with a history of recurrent cholangitis underwent ERCP for common bile duct stones. Two stones (10 × 15 mm and 15 × 20 mm) ([Fig. 1]) were seen on cholangiogram. After sphincterotomy and 15-mm EPLBD, the smaller stone was extracted using a Fogarty balloon. The larger stone could not be removed, and intra-endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy was attempted ([Fig. 2]); however, the Dormia wires broke near the handle of the lithotriptor despite being specially designed for mechanical lithotripsy.

Fig. 1 Cholangiogram showed two large bile duct stones.

Fig. 2 Attempted mechanical lithotripsy to remove the larger stone.

The Dormia basket was made of Nitinol with a “crimp” that joins the four wires ([Fig. 3 a]). The trapped basket was pulled closer to the papilla, making it possible to visualize the “crimp.” Argon plasma coagulation (APC2; ERBE, Tübingen, Germany; Forced setting, 80 W) was then used to trim the two wires between the “crimp” and the tip of the basket ([Fig. 3 b], [Video 1]); the trapped Dormia was finally retrieved using another small (10 mm) over-the-wire basket ([Fig. 4]). Plastic stents were inserted near the stone and the patient was referred for cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy, which was successful.

Fig. 3 The Nitinol Dormia basket. a The basket has a crimp (arrow) that joins the four wires of the basket. b The wires were cut (arrow) between the crimp (arrowhead) and the tip of the basket.

Video 1 Application of argon plasma coagulation to trim the wires of a trapped Nitinol Dormia basket for retrieval.

Fig. 4 Removal of the trapped Dormia with another small basket.

The use of APC to trim the meshes of self-expandable metal stents has been reported previously [3] and can be considered for “cutting” other endoscopic devices when necessary for their retrieval.

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Competing interests

Dr. Costamagna is an advisory board member for Cook Medical, Olympus, and Ethicon, and has received research funding from Boston Scientific Corp. and Apollo Endosurgery. Dr. Tringali has been a consultant for Boston Scientific Corp. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Thomas M, Howell DA, Carr-Locke D. et al. Mechanical lithotripsy of pancreatic and biliary stones: complications and available treatment options collected from expert centers. Am J Gastroenterol 2007; 102: 1896-1902
• 2 Manes G, Paspatis G, Aabakken L. et al. Endoscopic management of common bile duct stones: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline. Endoscopy 2019; 51: 472-491
• 3 Demarquay JF, Dumas R, Peten EP. et al. Argon plasma endoscopic section of biliary metallic prostheses. Endoscopy 2001; 33: 289-290

Publication History

Article published online:
26 June 2020