Introduction:Biliary stent migration is a common post-stenting complication with a reported prevalence of 5–10%. Given the scarcity of comprehensive studies and inconclusive evidence regarding its risk factors, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of biliary stent migration and its associated determinants.
Methods:This retrospective study included 506 patients who underwent ERCP and stent placement at Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, between 2009-2021. Demographic data, recent imaging findings, ERCP indications, ampullary pathology, cannulation techniques, cholangiography results, and procedural details were extracted from medical records. The frequency of stent migration and its relationship with each variable were analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: Stent migration occurred in 78 patients (15.4%). The mean age of patients with migration was significantly higher than those without migration (P<0.001). However, no statistically significant associations were found between stent migration and gender (P=0.256), clinical symptoms (P>0.05), ERCP indication (P = 0.068), ampullary lesions (P=0.775), cannulation method (P=0.693), number or size of biliary stones (P>0.05), or opioid use (P=0.831). Among patients with migration, subsequent management included stent removal in 20 cases (25.6%), new stent insertion in 17 (21.8%), sphincterotomy in 8 (10.3%), balloon dilation in 19(24.4%), and basket extraction for biliary obstruction in 18 (23.1%).
Conclusion: The findings underscore the role of advanced age as a significant independent risk factor for biliary stent migration, highlighting the need for closer monitoring in elderly patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to identify other modifiable risk factors and refine stent placement and follow-up strategies to reduce migration rates.