T-Tube Breakage During Removal: Management by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

T-tube drainage is a widely used procedure among surgeons for various biliary conditions. However, various complications may occur, especially due to the breaking-off of the T-tube from the area where it enters the common bile duct during retraction. These complications often require subsequent surgical procedures to remove the T-tube fragment from the common bile duct lumen. In selected cases, the T-tube fragment can be extracted from the common bile duct by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP has a life-saving role that eliminates reoperation for such a complication. Herein, we present a 42-year-old female patient who was referred to our hospital, which is as an advanced center, due to breakage during T-tube withdrawal. The patient had previously undergone open cholecystectomy and T-tube drainage. When removing the T-tube, a breakage occurred at 3-4 cm from the T-tube leg, which was left in the common bile duct. In the ERCP, the leg of the T-tube was removed from the common bile duct lumen by basket compression following endoscopic sphincterotomy and a temporary plastic stent was placed. One month after the procedure, the stent was removed with the help of the ERCP. This case is presented as a rare indication of ERCP.