Clip-induced biliary stone

VH Chong, HB Yim, CC Lim
Correspondence: Dr Chong Vui Heng, chongvuih@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT
Surgical clip migration is a well-known phenomenon ever since their first use in surgery. The mechanism of clip migration is poorly understood, and can occur from days to years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Migration of the surgical clips may be a complex process involving necrosis, pressure exerted from intra-abdominal movement, formation of stones over the exposed clip within the bile duct, and eventual migration into the common bile duct. We report two cases, a 58-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, of clip- induced biliary stones resulting from surgical clip migration a few years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Keywords: clip migration, stones, surgical clips, surgical complication
Singapore Med J 2004; 45(11): 533-535