Cholecystectomy

My Dad has his Gallbladder removed 18 months ago and has not had excellent health since.  He also has sugar diabetes which complicates his physical abilities.  Several week's ago while on a visit with his doctor, they discovered they had not removed a stint which was placed in him as a bile duct.  The doctors wanted to immediately remove the stint by going down his throat with camera to find and remove.

My Dad does not want to go through this and feels that the pain of going back through his throat could lead to other issues and has asked the physican to consider going through his side.  The physican said he put the tube in by going down the throat, and needed to take it out through the throat.  He agreed they should have taken it out long ago, but it was not uncommon to take it out much later.

He said my Dad was OK to wait a month before making the decision, but should not wait 6 months or longer.  My Dad is 81 years old and will not consent to doing this through the esophagus.  They initially removed the Gall Bladder through his side, and that is where he wants the tube removed.  What advise could you offer?  Is there risk of injury by going down the throat and damaging the larynx?  If he leaves the stint in his body will there be repercussions and what might those be?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I cannot offer a personal opinion without reviewing the case.

Leaving the stent in increases the risk for infection.  Normally the procedure described (an ERCP) is the common method to remove a bile duct stent.  The risks include bleeding, infection and inflammation of the pancreas.  

I would obtain another GI opinion regarding this scenario, preferably at a major academic medical center.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[Annie1955]

I had my gall bladder removed two years ago but have never been pain free since.  I have had 7 E R C Ps some with the sphincter cut and some with stent insertion.  I am now on OXY medication (controlled drugs) for pain, but it still persisted.  I have also had a Botox injection in the sphincter, still no relief.  Can you suggest any way forward?