Fragmented fury: Impacted stent fragment wreaks biliary havoc

Prolonged retention of biliary stents can lead to rare yet serious complications such as stent fragmentation and biliary obstruction. We report the case of an 18-year-old male with a five-year-old forgotten biliary stent placed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocholithiasis. Following cholecystectomy, the stent was removed in fragments, and the patient developed clinical signs of obstructive jaundice. Imaging revealed a retained stent fragment in the distal common bile duct, leading to biliary dilatation. The diagnosis was confirmed using a combination of radiography, ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Endoscopic retrieval was performed successfully. This case highlights the importance of timely stent removal, imaging surveillance, and multidisciplinary management to prevent stent-related complications.