Duodenal Perforation Caused by Distal Migration of Biliary Stent ()
Received 9 March 2016; accepted 23 April 2016; published 26 April 2016
1. Introduction
Endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a well-established treatment of choice for relieving obstructive jaundice in both benign diseases such as choledocholithiasis as well as unresectable hepatobiliary malignancy. However, it is not without complications which range between 8% to 10% [1] . Biliary stent specific complications include migration, occlusion and intestinal obstruction. In the majority of instances, stent migration is asymptomatic. Nevertheless, there are several sporadic reports of small bowel perforation, colonic diverticular perforation, colonic fistula and intra-abdominal abscess caused by biliary stent migrations in literature [2] [3] . Herein we present a case of duodenal perforation caused by the distal migration of a biliary stent. A brief discussion of proposed mechanism is also conducted.
2. Case Presentation
A 50 years old gentleman was admitted to our hospital for cholangitis. He presented with fever and right upper quadrant pain. Blood tests showed leukocytosis and deranged liver function in an obstructive pattern. Urgent ultrasonography of abdomen confirmed a dilated biliary tree and the presence of gallstones. Emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was done which showed a dilated common bile duct (CBD) to 15 mm with a 9 mm stone in the distal common bile duct. A 10 French, 10 cm long plastic biliary stent was inserted for biliary drainage. He was discharged a few days later uneventfully and was planned for ERCP and removal of stones as well as interval cholecystectomy later.
However, he was readmitted 1 week after ERCP, complaining of severe abdominal pain. Abdominal examination revealed guarding at upper abdomen guarding at upper abdomen with rebound tenderness. The patient was tachycardic with a pulse of 140/min. His respiratory rate was 20/min. Laboratory investigations showed a white cell count of 23 × 10e9/L and a bilirubin of 32 umol/L. Hemoglobin, ALP, ALT, AST, amylase and renal function tests were within normal limits. CXR showed free gas under the diaphragm.
Urgent abdominal computer tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of free gas and distal migration of the biliary stent causing perforation of the duodenum. Emergency laparotomy showed biliary peritonitis and the plastic stent was seen protruding from the anterior wall of the second part of the duodenum (Figure 1). The stent was removed, exploration of the common bile duct was performed together with a T-tube placement. The duodenal perforation was repaired, the perforation site was closed with an omental patch and an abdominal drain was placed next to the duodenal perforation.
The patient was put on total parental nutrition post-operatively for 3 weeks. A T-tube cholangiogram, performed two weeks post-operatively showed no leakage from the duodenum, with free passage of contrast down into the distal small bowel. The T-tube was clamped and the patient started on fluids and subsequently on a solid diet. The abdominal drain was removed 4 days after the patient resumed oral feeding. He was discharged 4 weeks after admission and the T-tube was removed 2 months post-operatively. Interval cholecystectomy was subsequently performed. The patient was followed up for two years during which time he had no further abdominal complaints.
3. Discussion
Endoscopic biliary stent insertion has been used for many years as a temporary or definitive treatment for biliary obstruction. Two commonly available stents are classified according to synthetic material, namely plastic and
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Figure 1. Biliary stent protruded out from the anterior wall of second part of duodenum.
metallic stents. The majority of plastic stents are straight type with a slightly curved shaft and flaps near both ends to prevent proximal and distal migration. According to a retrospective review studying 378 biliary plastic stent insertions, 13.5% presented with either proximal or distal migration; 7.9% for proximal and 5.9% for distal migration respectively. All the patients with proximally migrated stent presented with cholangitis or recurrence of painless jaundice which required endoscopic retrieval of stents, while distally migrated stent patients were usually asymptomatic, and presented as an incidental finding on follow up ERCP [4] .
Despite the relatively innocent behavior of distal stent migration, there are numerous rare complications reported in the literature, such as duodenal perforation, colonic perforation resulting in pelvic abscess, enterocutaneous fistula or necrotizing fasciitis. Distal stent migration more commonly occurs in benign compared to malignant strictures. This is because benign stenosis would undergo regression once the inflammatory reaction has subsided like what has occurred in our patient, while malignant stenosis may grow further and can tightly anchor the stent in position. Other important risk factors for distal stent migration include inappropriate stent selection and stent placement. In other words, if too long a stent was chosen, or if there was malposition of stent with a long segment within the duodenal lumen. This could result in impaction of the duodenal wall and perforation of duodenum. Perforation of the duodenum can be intra-peritoneal resulting in biliary peritonitis or retro-peritoneal causing a bilioma [5] . Besides the duodenum, other common sites of perforation are the diverticular sac of the large bowel, as the walls of the diverticula are extremely thin, or in fixed areas of the intestines because of adhesion from previous operations.
The treatment for distal stent migration is quite controversial. In cases of obvious peritonitis and unstable hemodynamics, immediate surgical exploration is warranted. In the literature, there was also reporting of endoscopic extraction of migrating stent and endoscopic clip closure of duodenal perforation [6] . In the case of retroperitoneal perforation and localized bilioma, successful percutaneous extraction of stent and drainage has been reported [7] .
4. Conclusion
To conclude, distal stent migration is not innocent; it can cause potentially lethal complications as seen in our presented case. In order to prevent such complications from occurring, endoscopists should choose the correct size, length and shape of the biliary stent, and avoid prolonged placement of stent in benign biliary obstruction.