Oesophageal stent migration following Billroth I gastrectomy: an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction

We report the case of an elderly female patient with a history of a previous Billroth I gastrectomy who presented with small bowel obstruction secondary to a migrated oesophageal stent. This patient had an iatrogenic oesophageal perforation following therapeutic endoscopy for a benign stricture 4 months prior to presentation. This was treated endoscopically with a covered stent that was not removed as planned. The stent migrated distally lodging in the terminal ileum, causing small bowel obstruction. Oesophageal stent migration is a rare but well-recognized complication of stent placement. Endoscopic stenting is an effective treatment for oesophageal perforation with lower morbidity and mortality than operative repair. Clinicians should be aware that although patients with a history of previous gastric surgery are at no greater risk of stent migration than others, the altered anatomy can affect the final resting place of the migrated stent and hence the clinical effects and sequalae.