Migratory biliary stent resulting in colonic perforation: a rare complication and review of literature

Zachary Wilson; Jason Diab; Soni Putnis

doi:10.1093/jscr/rjad109

Migratory biliary stent resulting in colonic perforation: a rare complication and review of literature

J Surg Case Rep. 2023 Mar 18;2023(3):rjad109. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjad109. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Zachary Wilson¹, Jason Diab^{1

2

3}, Soni Putnis¹

Affiliations

¹ Wollongong Hospital, NSW, Australia.
² School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
³ School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

Biliary stent insertion during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used as a therapeutic intervention allowing flow of bile into the duodenum. In rare circumstances, distal gastrointestinal perforation can be attributed to a migrated biliary stent, with the most common site being the sigmoid colon. In these cases, surgical and/or endoscopic intervention may be required. We report a case of a 98-year-old male presenting with small bowel obstruction secondary to migrated plastic and metal biliary stents placed for acute biliary pancreatitis. Due to advanced age and high-risk multiple comorbidities, conservative management was undertaken. The patient was discharged after 5 days after ongoing pain and obstipation with palliative care services in place.

Publication types

Case Reports