Obstructive Jaundice Secondary to Clip Migration in the Common Bile Duct 9 Years after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Surgical clip migration in the common bile duct with consecutive stone formation is a rare occurrence after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, less than 100 cases being reported so far. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with obstructive jaundice due to bile duct stone formed around a migrated surgical clip 9 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient presented with pain in the upper abdomen and jaundice. Abdominal ultrasound diagnosed dilation of the common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography which revealed a metal clip in the distal part of the common bile duct. The patient was managed successfully by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the surgical clip was retrieved using the Dormia basket. The exact mechanism of clip migration is not fully understood but may be explained by local inflammation and ineffective clipping. Although a rare occurrence, clip migration should not be excluded when considering the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with obstructive jaundice or cholangitis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Minimally invasive management by ERCP is the procedure of choice for migrated clips related complications but surgical common bile duct exploration may be necessary.