Percutaneous transhepatic techniques for removal of endoscopically placed biliary plastic endoprostheses.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-placed plastic biliary endoprostheses can migrate proximally and become impacted (4.9%). Endoscopy is resorted to first and percutaneous transhepatic techniques are resorted to second. Percutaneous transhepatic techniques are resorted to in probably less that 0.5% of all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-placed plastic biliary endoprostheses and are rarely reported. The current article reviews the results, various techniques, and potential complications during the percutaneous transhepatic removal of these endoprostheses.