Inversion Technique for the Removal of Partially Covered Self-Expandable Metallic Stents

Partially covered self-expandable metallic stents (PCSEMS), although an effective treatment for anastomotic/staple line leaks and strictures, can be difficult to remove. This study examines the effectiveness of the inversion technique for the removal of PCSEMS in the treatment of leaks and strictures that occurred post-sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Consecutive patients who underwent PCSEMS removal for a leak and/or stricture post-SG or RYGB between July 2013 and December 2016 at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions were reviewed. All PCSEMS removals were first attempted via the inversion technique, which involves grasping the distal end of the stent and inverting it through itself.

Fourteen patients (four males) underwent PCSEMS removal via the inversion technique for an anastomotic/staple line leak (50%), stricture (29%) or both (21%) post-SG (79%) or RYGB (21%). Technical success (successful removal of the stent) was achieved in one endoscopic session for 13 of the 14 PCSEMS (93%). One PCSEMS required the use of the stent-in-stent technique for removal. The median dwell time was 47 days (range 5-72). A distal partial occlusion developed in five patients (35%) due to tissue overgrowth and one PCSEMS (7%) migrated, necessitating premature removal. Eight patients (57%) experienced clinical success at follow-up, and six patients (43%) required subsequent treatment due to persistence or recurrence of the pathology.

The inversion technique is a safe, effective, and efficient method of removing PCSEMS placed to correct anastomotic/staple line leaks and strictures post-SG and RYGB.