Migration of metal clips into the duodenum after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A report of two cases

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 2458 - 2460
• Main Authors: Chen, Gang-Hong, Zhu, Tie-Ming, Xu, Xiu-Li, Jiang, Ke-Xiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.06.2018; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain - etiology; Bile; Case Reports; Cholecystectomy; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic - adverse effects; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic - instrumentation; Cholecystitis - surgery; Chronic Disease; Duodenum - surgery; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Feeding and Eating Disorders - etiology; Female; Foreign-Body Migration - complications; Foreign-Body Migration - diagnosis; Humans; Laparoscopy; Metals; Middle Aged; Office furniture; Pain, Postoperative - etiology; Surgical Instruments - adverse effects; case report; duodenotomy; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; duodenum; migrate; metal clip
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060518760714

Migration of metal clips into the duodenum after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rare. We herein present two cases of migration of metal clips into the duodenum in patients who developed upper quadrant discomfort and a poor appetite after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastroscopy revealed metal clips in the duodenum. In one patient, the clip dropped from the duodenum after 2 months; the other patient went to another institution to undergo duodenotomy. The mechanism underlying migration of a metal clip into the duodenum remains unclear but might be related to chronic inflammation and duodenal peristalsis. In conclusion, clinicians must remember that metal clips can migrate after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and later cause complications.