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Case Reports
. 2009 Jul;1(2):63-5.

Esophageal stent migration can lead to intestinal obstruction

Oguzhan Karatepe  1 , Ersin Acet, Merih Altiok, Muharrem Battal, Gokhan Adas, Servet Karahan
Affiliations
Case Reports

Esophageal stent migration can lead to intestinal obstruction

Oguzhan Karatepe et al. N Am J Med Sci. 2009 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Self-expanding metallic stents are the devices of choice in the treatment of malign or benign strictures of the esophagus. Stent migration is a well-known complication of this procedure.

Aims: We report a case of intestinal obstruction caused by esophageal stent migration, in which surgical intervention was used.

Methods: A 65-year-old woman, who had a medical history of gastric cancer operations and esophageal stent applications, was admitted to our emergency department with a 48-hour history of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. An emergency laparotomy was performed and the migrated stent causing intestinal obstruction was removed.

Results: The patient recovered without incident and was discharged on postoperative day 3.

Conclusion: This case illustrates that esophageal stent migration has to be considered as a potential life-threatening complication.

Keywords: Esophageal stricture; intestinal obstruction; self-expanding stent; stent complications; stent migration.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A) Abdominal plain graphy shows air fluid level. B) and C) Abdominal CT-scan study. Esophageal stent is impacted into the distal segment of the small bowel. The intestine above the stent is dilated.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A) shows one of the removed stents. B) Operative view of the small intestine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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