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A ureteral (say "you-REE-ter-ul") stent is a thin, hollow tube. It is placed in the ureter to help urine pass from the kidney into the bladder. Ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.
This procedure is done when something is blocking the ureter. The blockage may be caused by problems such as a kidney stone, a tumour, or an infection. The stent keeps the ureter open. After the stent is placed, urine should flow better from your kidneys to your bladder.
You will get medicine to make you sleep and to prevent pain during the procedure. The doctor will place the stent by guiding it up the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Then the doctor will pass the stent through the bladder and ureter into the kidney. The doctor will place one end of the stent in the kidney and the other end in the bladder.
The stent may be left in place for several days. Or you may have it in place for several months. Your doctor will take it out when you no longer need it. While the stent is in place, you may have to urinate more often. You may feel a sudden need to urinate. Or you may feel like you can't completely empty your bladder.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
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Current as of: December 19, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Christopher G. Wood MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology
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