Novel technique of cholangioscopy-guided inwardly migrated stent retrieval

We present a case of a 54-year-old man who had undergone a liver transplant and developed a biliary anastomotic stricture. The patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stenting for the treatment of the condition. He visited our facility for a stent exchange. During the ERCP procedure, it was discovered that one of the stents had migrated inward ([Fig. 1]). Despite multiple attempts using the biliary balloon, basket, and snare for stent extraction, all efforts were unsuccessful [1] [2] [3] [4]. Consequently, we decided to perform cholangioscopy (SpyGlass DS; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA), which revealed that the distal end of the stent was lodged in the wall of the distal common bile duct ([Video 1]). However, the deep impaction made it impossible to employ the spy snare. Therefore, we opted to disimpact the stent [5].

Fig. 1 Fluoroscopic image showing inwardly migrated common bile duct stent. Impacted distal end of biliary stent (arrow).

Video 1 Novel technique of cholangioscopy-guided inwardly migrated stent retrieval.

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During cholangioscopy, we identified a side opening at the distal flange of the stent. We inserted a guidewire through the side hole and into the stent lumen. Subsequently, we exchanged the cholangioscope with a sphincterotome (Ultratome; Boston Scientific) over the guidewire, engaging it into the side hole of the stent. By pushing the stent inward, we successfully disimpacted the distal end. Once disimpaction was achieved, we replaced the sphincterotome with a routine snare over the guidewire. Under fluoroscopy guidance, we captured the distal end of the stent with the snare. Finally, the guidewire, stent, and snare complex were retrieved along with the scope ([Fig. 2–5]). We then placed two new plastic stents across the stricture.

Fig. 2 Fluoroscopic image showing cholangioscopy-guided cannulation of migrated biliary stent (arrow).

Fig. 3 Fluoroscopic image showing disimpacted biliary stent in mid common bile duct with the help of sphincterotome (arrow).

Fig. 4 Fluoroscopic image showing ensnaring the distal end of the migrated biliary stent over the guidewire (arrow).

Fig. 5 In vitro stent, snare, and guidewire complex. a With scope. b Closer view.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report highlighting the successful use of cholangioscope-guided guidewire cannulation through the side hole and the utilization of a sphincterotome and routine snare for the retrieval of a migrated stent, thus obviating the need for surgery.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Bills G, Brown J, Gabr M. Cholangioscopy-guided removal of a proximally migrated biliary stent using a modified standard polypectomy snare. VideoGIE 2021; 6: 316-318
• 2 Yalaka RR, Kedarisetty CK, Narayankar SM. et al. A novel technique of migrated biliary stent retrieval. Endoscopy 2022; 54: 522-523
• 3 Barakat MT, Banerjee S. SpyCatcher: Use of a novel cholangioscopic snare for capture and retrieval of a proximally migrated biliary stent. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63: 3224-3227
• 4 Kotha S, Berry P, Webster G. et al. Cholangioscopic management of proximally migrated biliary stent using a novel through-the-cholangioscope snare. Endoscopy 2020; 52: 5-6
• 5 Al Lehibi A, Al Mtawa A, Almasoudi T. et al. Removal of proximally migrated biliary stents by using single operator cholangioscopy. VideoGIE 2020; 5: 213-216

Publication History

Article published online:
21 August 2023