What is Ureteral Stent Implantation

Ureteral stent implantation is a procedure to insert (implant) a flexible, soft, plastic tube (stent) into a tube (ureter) that drains urine from the kidneys. The stent supports the ureter while it heals and helps to drain urine from the kidneys. You may have a ureteral stent implanted after having a procedure to remove a blockage from the ureter (ureterolysis or pyeloplasty). You may also have a stent implanted to open the flow of urine when you have a blockage caused by a kidney stone, tumor, blood clot, or infection.

You have two ureters, one on each side of the body. The ureters connect the kidneys to the organ that holds urine until it passes out of the body (bladder). The stent is placed so that one end is in the kidney, and one end is in the bladder. The stent is usually taken out after your ureter has healed. Depending on your condition, you may have a stent for just a few weeks, or you may have a long-term stent that will need to be replaced every few months.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs. Tearing (perforation) of the ureter is possible.
• Movement of the stent away from where it is placed during surgery (migration).

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Do not drink alcohol and do not use any tobacco products before your procedure, as told by your health care provider.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic). You may also be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• A thin, tube-shaped instrument with a light and tiny camera at the end (cystoscope) will be inserted into your urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder out of the body. In men, the urethra opens at the end of the penis. In women, the urethra opens in front of the vaginal opening.
• The cystoscope will be passed into your bladder.
• A thin wire (guide wire) will be passed through your bladder and into your ureter. This is used to guide the stent into your ureter.
• The stent will be inserted into your ureter.
• The guide wire and the cystoscope will be removed.
• A flexible tube (catheter) will be inserted through your urethra so that one end is in your bladder. This helps to drain urine from your bladder.

The procedure may vary among hospitals and health care providers.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may continue to receive medicine and fluids through an IV tube.
• You may have some soreness or pain in your abdomen and urethra. Medicines will be available to help you.
• You will be encouraged to get up and walk around as soon as you can.
• You will have a catheter draining your urine.
• You will have some blood in your urine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Ureteral Stent Implantation, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Nausea.
• Mild pain when you urinate. You may feel this pain in your lower back or lower abdomen. Pain should stop within a few minutes after you urinate. This may last for up to 1 week.
• A small amount of blood in your urine for several days.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicines.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg). Follow this limit for 1 week after your procedure, or for as long as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Watch for any blood in your urine. Call your health care provider if the amount of blood in your urine increases.
• If you have a catheter:
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about taking care of your catheter and collection bag.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine, especially pain when you urinate.
• You have difficulty urinating.
• You feel nauseous or you vomit repeatedly during a period of more than 2 days after the procedure.

Get help right away if:

• Your urine is dark red or has blood clots in it.
• You are leaking urine (have incontinence).
• The end of the stent comes out of your urethra.
• You cannot urinate.
• You have sudden, sharp, or severe pain in your abdomen or lower back.
• You have a fever.