Visualized, radiation-free diagnosis and treatment of biliary stone complexes from migrated surgical clips via peroral cholangioscopy

Postoperative clip migration into the common bile duct (CBD) is a rare complication of laparoscopic biliary surgery. The migrated clips may serve as niduses for stone formation [1]. This is a report of cholangioscopy-guided diagnosis and treatment of biliary stone-clip complexes.

A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital with bile duct stones. Two years earlier he had undergone laparoscopic bile duct exploration and cholecystectomy after a failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) aimed at treating large CBD stones. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed a dilated CBD with multiple filling defects, while endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) did not show the typical acoustic shadowing associated with stones ([Fig. 1]). Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) was performed. Radiation-free biliary cannulation through the non-naive papilla was easily achieved and confirmed by aspiration of bile [2]. Following sphincterotomy, a 9-Fr digital cholangioscope (eyeMax; Microtech, Nanjing, China) was inserted, revealing multiple columnar stones within the distorted CBD lumen ([Fig. 2]). As the stones were crushed and peeled off by POC-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy, plastic inner cores were exposed and identified as surgical clips. Consequently, the diagnosis of stone formation around migrated clips was established. Using a through-the-cholangioscope snare, all clips were successfully retrieved. Subsequently, the stones were removed with a wire-guided basket (FG-v432p; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Stone clearance was confirmed through POC visualization ([Video 1]). The patient recovered without any discomfort.

Fig. 1 Pre-procedural imaging studies. a, b Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed the dilated and distorted common bile duct with multiple filling defects. c Endoscopic ultrasound showed the hyperechoic stone without acoustic shadowing.

Fig. 2 Visualized, radiation-free management of a stone–clip complex using peroral digital cholangioscopy (POC). a POC view of a columnar stone. b POC-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy. c Adequately exposed clips after thorough fragmentation of the outer stone shell. d Grasp of the clip using a dedicated through-the-cholangioscope snare. e, f Duodenoscopic view of the removal of a clip.

Visualized, radiation-free diagnosis and treatment of biliary stone complexes from migrated surgical clips via peroral cholangioscopy.Video 1

Stone–clip complexes undetectable on preprocedural imaging studies are also unlikely to be identified during conventional ERCP, increasing the potential risk of impaction during retrieval. POC allows for direct visualization of the biliary system. POC-directed lithotripsy was instrumental in establishing the diagnosis, while thorough fragmentation of the outer stone shell eased the removal of the clips. In conclusion, visualized management of stone–clip complexes utilizing POC is a straightforward, safe, and efficient approach that can be performed without the use of radiation [2].

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement

We thank David D. Markowitz, MD, Associate Clinical professor of Medicine, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, for his assistance in language editing.

• References

• 1 Wu X, Yan H, Zhao S. et al. Clip migration complicated by choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic biliary surgery: a report of four cases. J Int Med Res 2023; 51
• 2 Zhang Y, Feng Y. Radiation-free digital cholangioscopy-guided removal of bile duct foreign body and holmium laser lithotripsy for large common bile duct stones. Endoscopy 2023; 55: E420-E421

Publication History

Article published online:
03 March 2025