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Ureteral Stent Placement

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 2, 2024.

AMBULATORY CARE:

What you need to know about ureteral stent placement:

Ureteral stent placement is a procedure to open a blocked or narrow ureter. The ureter is the tube that carries urine from your kidney into your bladder. A stent is a thin hollow plastic tube used to hold your ureter open and allow urine to flow. The stent may stay in for several weeks. Long-term stents will stay in longer and need to be replaced within a certain period of time.

How to prepare for ureteral stent placement:

Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for this procedure. He or she may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your procedure. Your provider will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your procedure. You may be given an antibiotic through your IV to help prevent a bacterial infection. Arrange for a ride home after your procedure if you will have general anesthesia during this procedure.

What will happen during ureteral stent placement:

What will happen after ureteral stent placement:

You may have pain when you urinate, or around your bladder or kidney. You may also need to urinate more frequently than normal, or feel a sudden, urgent need to urinate. You may have blood or brown discharge from your urethra for 48 to 72 hours. You may see blood in your urine. These symptoms are common and should get better with time.

Risks of ureteral stent placement:

Your ureter may be damaged during the procedure and you will need surgery to fix it. You may need surgery if the stent cannot be put in safely. The stent may become blocked or move out of place. If the stent remains in place for a long time, minerals and bacteria may grow over it. This can cause a blockage or a bladder infection.

Seek care immediately if:

Contact your healthcare provider or urologist if:

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

Self-care:

Follow up with your urologist as directed:

You will need regular follow-up visits with your urologist as long as you have a stent. He or she will check to make sure the stent is working properly. He or she will remove your temporary stent in several weeks. Your provider may do urine cultures to check for infection. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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