Publication:

Small bowel perforation due to migration of a biliary stent: a case report

Endoscopic placement of biliary stents is becoming more common every day, as it is currently one of the best options for the treatment of bile duct pathologies. One of the complications that can occur is the migration of the stent which in very rare cases can cause intestinal perforation. This is a 90-year-old female patient, who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) a year ago for acute cholangitis and choledocholithiasis. She consulted due to abdominal pain with signs of peritoneal irritation secondary migration of biliary stent. The treatment of these rare complication can be endoscopic, laparoscopic or surgical in case of severe complication. In this occasion, a laparotomy was performed due to perforation of the jejunum secondary to migrated biliary stent. Patients who receive biliary stents require adequate follow-up to avoid complications.