A ureteric stent is a soft, flexible plastic tube that sits between the kidney and bladder to keep the ureter open and draining. Stents are placed temporarily before or after stone surgery or reconstructive procedures, or to relieve a blockage.
TREATMENTS
Ureteric Stent Insertion and Removal
When Is a Stent Needed?
• To relieve obstruction from a stone, narrowing or external compression
• After ureteroscopy, pyeloplasty or ureteric reimplantation, to support healing
• Before some procedures, to allow the ureter to dilate gently to allow laser or biopsy to be safely performed
Living With a Stent
Stent symptoms are common and expected — they do not mean something is wrong:
• Urgency, frequency, and a flank twinge or ache when passing urine
• Visible blood in the urine, especially after activity — drink extra water and rest
• Symptoms are helped by hydration, simple pain relief and sometimes medications
• Stents must never be forgotten: a stent left too long can become encrusted with stone.
Removal Options
• Flexible cystoscopy removal: A quick procedure under local, sedation or general anaesthetic
• Stent on a string: A fine thread allows simple removal at home or with our nurse in clinic within days of surgery, in suitable cases.
• Magnetic Stent: A small magnet is inserted with a thin catheter to remove the specialised stent in a clinic setting. This avoids a formal hospital procedure and suits patients for whom a string is not appropriate.
Risks and Considerations
All procedures carry risks, which your surgeon will discuss with you in detail. These may include:
• Stent symptoms (very common — see above)
• Urinary infection
• Stent movement, requiring earlier removal or adjustment
• Encrustation if a stent is left beyond its intended time
Recovery at a glance: Insertion and removal are short procedures; normal activities can usually resume the same or next day.
1
Insertion
Placed with a cystoscope under general anaesthesia with xray guidance, usually at the end of another procedure or if needing further procedures
2
Clear Information
You receive written information about your stent, its purpose, expected symptoms, and — most importantly — its planned removal date.
3
Symptom Support
Hydration advice, medication and a contact point for concerns keep you comfortable while the stent is in place.
4
Timely Removal
Removal should be planned before you leave hospital depending on your circumstances
Our Approach
