Ureteral Stents

URETERAL STENTS

What is a Ureteral Stent?

As part of the operation which you have recently had, a ureteral stent has been placed within your body. A stent is a narrow, hollow plastic tube that runs between the kidney and bladder, inside of the conduit that normally carries urine between those organs called the ureter. The stent functions to hold the ureter open and allow drainage of urine.

Why are they used?

There are a variety of reasons why a stent has been placed. For patients with stone surgery .the stent allows passage of residual fragments without blocking the ureter. Patients who have had ureteroscopy (a look up the ureter) have a stent placed to allow the ureter to remain open while the normal postoperative swelling of the ureter resolves. Patients who have had any form of surgery on the ureter have a stent placed to allow healing of the ureter in the proper open fashion.

The stent is held in place by its design, which incorporates "pig tail" spiraling where it is located in the kidney and bladder. Occasionally, a blue suture is attached to the end of the stent and comes out of the body through the urethra ( the urine tube leading from the bladder outside the body. If you have such a blue string present, under no circumstances pull on it, as it will cause the stent to become dislodged. Be especially careful when bathing, not to catch the string on the terry cloth towel.

Will it hurt?

A ureteral stent will be uncomfortable. It causes urgency of urination. It often gives a feeling of a full bladder. There will be blood in the urine as long as the stent is present. That blood should not take on the color of burgundy wine or have major clots associated with it, however. There may be pain in the back while voiding with the stent in place. All of this discomfort is part of the price that is paid for the benefits of the stent as outlined above.

When should I become concerned and call the doctor?

If you are experiencing some of the problems as described above, there is no need to contact your urologist. If, however, you are experiencing excessive bleeding or severe pain (that is not taken care of by oral pain medication), then contact your urologist. Be prepared to come to the hospital emergency room, as an IVP (kidney x-ray) will probably be necessary to determine the cause of your discomfort.

When will it be removed?

You will be told when your stent is to be removed. If you have a suture coming out from your body, that will be grasped and the stent will be removed. If no string is present, a cystoscopy (look into the bladder) will be performed and the end of the stent will be grabbed with surgical forceps (tweezers) and the stent will be removed. Both the removal by pulling on the suture and the removal by cystoscopy is minimally uncomfortable. If you have a suture and it appears to have gone back into your bladder, this is no cause for alarm. The string may come back out when you void, or it can be grasped during cystoscopy.

We trust that this instructional sheet on ureteral stents helps you to understand the nature and reason for the ureteral stent and its associated discomfort.