Successful rigid endoscopic removal of an esophageal subtotally covered nitinol stent 11 months after initial placement.

Formation of granulation tissue and stricture at the stent's ends are well-known long-term complications of esophageal subtotally covered externally self-expandable metal stents (SEMS). Removal is associated with an increased risk of mucosal injury, severe bleeding, mediastinis, and consecutive stenosis. We report on a case of successful endoscopic removal of an esophageal SEMS 11 months after original placement to cover an iatrogenic esophageal perforation created during rigid esophagoscopy in a patient with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) syndrome. This case shows that safe SEMS late removal is achievable and at the same time illustrates the disadvantages of using SEMS for benign esophageal pathology. Particularly in cases of accidental esophageal injury during endoscopy, esophageal SEMS placement should be considered as a therapeutic option only if conventional surgery is contraindicated.