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Updated: May 25, 2026

An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Endoscopic laser fragmentation and removal of a nonremovable metal esophageal stent for persistent dysphagia: a
Ross S Coomber1, Pranav H Patel, Anubhav Dhir
1Department of Upper GI Surgery, West Herts NHS Trust, Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Watford WD18 0HB, UK. rosscoomber@hotmail.com
Background:
Self-expanding metal stents are widely used in the palliation of esophageal diseases (Todd, N Engl J Med 344(22):1681-1687, 2001). The majority are inserted for end-stage malignancy and are not designed to be removed.
Methods:
We report the first recorded successful endoscopic removal of an "irremovable" stent by laser fragmentation after its placement became redundant. A 72-year-old man who had persistent dysphagia after esophageal stent insertion for Boerhaave's syndrome had his stent removed by Nd-YAG laser fragmentation at staged endoscopies.
Results:
The stent was removed in its entirety and the patients' symptoms resolved.
Conclusions:
We describe a successful technique for the removal of a nonretrievable stent using laser fracture and endoscopic retrieval. This method of stent removal has not been previously reported.
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