Stent removal (plastic and metal)

Pancreatic and biliary stents are widely used for a variety of benign and malignant conditions causing obstruction of the bile duct or pancreatic duct. In this chapter, we discuss removal of biliary and pancreatic stents, including indications for removal, techniques of removal, and complications. Difficult stent removal is sometimes challenging; so, knowing the techniques to overcome the difficulties is fundamental to resolve the most difficult cases. These techniques should be known by any biliopancreatic endoscopist together with indications and timing to remove the stents correctly.