[Small bowel ileus caused by migration of oesophageal stent]

Stents are used for the treatment of malignant strictures and stenoses in the oesophagus. Both the ease of placement and the safety of these oesophageal stents have increased considerably over the years; however, complications still occur. We describe a patient who developed small bowel obstruction and perforation due to migration of the stent. Laparotomy with resection of the diseased bowel section including the stent was performed, and the patient recovered uneventfully. Our report shows that bowel obstruction and perforation is a seldom but severe complication of migrated oesophageal stents.