Successful Endoscopic Removal of a Migrated Colonic Stent

Abstract

An 81-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history received colonoscopy for anemia in February 2016, which detected advanced cecal cancer. Considering surgery high risk because of his comorbidity, the best supportive care was selected. One and a half years later, a colonic stent was placed in the ileocecum for intestinal obstruction. However, he frequently defecated and reported strong abdominal pain next month. Abdominal X-ray and CT revealed stent migration into the descending colon. Urgently, colonoscopy was performed, and the stent was successfully removed by pulling its oral side, reversing it inside out with two grasping forceps using a double-channel endoscope, and drawing it into the sliding tube to prevent injuring anus. When stents migrate and endoscopic withdrawal is feasible, patients' physical burden is minimal. Hence, endoscopists should familiarize with endoscopic removal method upon stent migration.