Percutaneous endoscopic removal of a biliary metal stent retained in the jejunum using a digital cholangioscope

Temporary placement of a biliary metal stent is a useful percutaneous treatment for benign hepaticojejunal anastomotic stricture [1] [2] [3] [4]. However, a metal stent that has been placed will sometimes migrate spontaneously and can be retained in the jejunum. Endoscopic removal of a migrated metal stent retained in the jejunum is sometimes technically challenging and, in difficult cases, invasive surgical removal is required. Here, we describe the successful non-invasive endoscopic removal of a retained metal stent using a digital cholangioscope that was passed via the percutaneous fistula created by a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain.

A 70-year-old man with a surgical hepaticojejunostomy had suffered from recurrent cholangitis due to hepaticojejunal anastomotic stricture. As an endoscopic approach to the anastomosis using a balloon enteroscope failed because of severe adhesions, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed; however, frequent drainage catheter replacement was required. A fully covered biliary metal stent with a lasso (HANAROSTENT Biliary; Boston Scientific Corp.) was therefore placed at the anastomosis via the percutaneous fistula ([Fig. 1]). The metal stent spontaneously migrated several days later and was retained in a sharp bend in the jejunum near to the anastomosis for 4 months, although the anastomotic stricture had improved ([Fig. 2]). The patient refused surgical removal of the stent, so endoscopic removal via the percutaneous fistula using a digital cholangioscope was attempted ([Video 1]).

Fig. 1 Radiographic images of the percutaneous temporary metal stent placement showing: a the severe hepaticojejunal anastomotic stricture (arrow); b a fully covered biliary metal stent with a lasso in position at the anastomosis.

Fig. 2 Radiographic image showing the metal stent (arrow) that had spontaneously migrated 4 months previously and was retained in the jejunum.

Video 1 Endoscopic removal of a biliary metal stent retained in the jejunum was performed using a digital cholangioscope via the percutaneous fistula.

First, a 0.025-inch guidewire was placed near the retained metal stent. A digital cholangioscope (SpyGlass DS System; Boston Scientific Corp.) was then inserted using guidewire guidance into the jejunum through the hepaticojejunal anastomosis via the percutaneous fistula. The lasso of the metal stent was grasped with a biopsy forceps under direct visualization and was retracted into the cholangioscope. The cholangioscope was gradually pulled out through the intrahepatic bile duct and the retained metal stent was successfully removed via the percutaneous fistula. This technique is a useful and non-invasive option for removal of a retained stent.

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Competing interests

T. Itoi has received speaker’s fees from Boston Scientific Japan. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Yun G, Yoon CJ, Seong NJ. Percutaneous treatment of benign bilioenteric anastomotic strictures: temporary covered stent placement versus balloon dilatation. Eur Radiol 2019; 29: 2690-2697
• 2 Hai R, Kuban J. Percutaneous intervention for bilioenteric anastomotic strictures: current strategies and future directions. Gastrointest Interv 2017; 6: 70-77
• 3 Walter D, Laleman W, Jansen JM. et al. A fully covered self-expandable metal stent with antimigration features for benign biliary strictures: a prospective, multicenter cohort study. Gastrointest Endosc 2015; 81: 1197-1203
• 4 Gwon DI, Ko GY, Ko HK. et al. Percutaneous transhepatic treatment using retrievable covered stents in patients with benign biliary strictures: mid-term outcomes in 68 patients. Dig Dis Sci 2013; 58: 3270-3279

Publication History

Article published online:
11 September 2020