Endoscopic management of intragastric migration of an Angelchik prosthesis

The Angelchik prosthesis was devised as a simple surgical solution for reflux oesophagitis. Since 1983 there have been increasing reports of complications attributed to the prosthesis, the more serious being transmural erosion through the oesophageal or gastric wall. The majority of these have required repeat surgery, which is not without risks. A case report of an Angelchik prosthesis incompletely eroding into the stomach is presented. The prosthesis was tethered by a 1 cm-thick mucosal bridge which precluded simple extraction. Using an endoscopic sphincterotome, the bridge was divided and the prosthesis removed. Endoscopic methods of extracting intragastric Angelchik prostheses should be considered before surgery is undertaken for this complication.