Endoscopic removal of an impacted bile duct self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) using the SEMS-in-SEMS technique.

In contrast to covered self-expanding metal stents (c-SEMS), retrieval of uncovered SEMS (u-SEMS) from the bile duct may be quite difficult or impossible. We describe the endoscopic removal of an impacted u-SEMS using the SEMS-in-SEMS technique. A 62-year-old man presented with acute pancreatitis, jaundice, and weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a “malignant-appearing” mass in the head of the pancreas causing bile duct dilation. The patient underwent placement of a u-SEMS to palliate the jaundice and as a bridge to surgery. Upon referral, endoscopic ultrasound was performed with fine-needle aspiration of the pancreatic head lesion. Cytology was negative for malignancy. In addition, follow-up CT 4 weeks later revealed resolution of the mass. Over a period of 9 weeks, the clinical status of the patient remained stable, without weight loss or B symptoms. Removal of the SEMS was therefore planned. Despite using multiple utensils, including oval and hexagonal snares, rat tooth and alligator forceps, and changes in scope position and torquing maneuvers, it was impossible to remove the u-SEMS during three different ERCP sessions. During the third ERCP, a decision was made to place a c-SEMS inside the impacted u-SEMS (●" Fig.1). Thepatient returned 10days later for stent extraction. During ERCP, a snare was placed tightly around both stents, but removal was still impossible as the snare slipped off repeatedly. Therefore, a rat tooth forceps was used to grab the inner stent (●" Video1). Constant traction was applied by pulling and torquing the scope for about 2–3 minutes. Both stents were retrieved completely (●" Fig.2;●" Video1). Cholangiogramdidnot reveal anybileduct damage. The patient was doing well 1 month later. The stent-in-stent technique has been reported to be useful for the removal of impacted SEMS in the esophagus [1]. Our report is of interest because it demonstrates that this salvage technique may be applicable to impacted u-SEMS in the bile duct. Themechanismmaybe similar to the one described for impacted esophageal stents [1]: the newly inserted c-SEMS exerts radial pressure inside the previous u-SEMS leading to sloughing or necrosis of the inner lining of the bile duct. Our report is also of potential clinical interest as there is a modern trend to use SEMS for benign pancreatobiliary disease. Knowledge of stent removal techniques is therefore mandatory. Reported techniques to remove SEMS include snare, rat tooth forceps, wire cutter, invagination and extracFig.1 Radiograph showing the fully covered self-expanding metal stent within the uncovered metal stent.