Removal of self-expandable metallic wallstent--a case report.

Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have become the preferred palliative treatment for patients with malignant biliary obstruction; endoscopic stent placement is less invasive than surgery and is rapidly effective. A longer duration of patency makes SEMS superior to plastic stents for palliation of patients with malignant stricture. Few cases of removal of an uncovered SEMS are reported in case of a blocked stent. We report the first case report of removal of covered biliary SEMS from India.