Stents

Stents are soft plastic tubes that help the kidney drain urine to the bladder. They may be inserted either:

Before treatment, when there is a blockage caused by stones
After treatment, until swelling goes down or stone fragments pass

What should I expect?

A stent may cause some discomfort, including:

The need to urinate suddenly (urgency)
The need to urinate often (frequency)
Pain during urination (dysuria)
Dull backache, which may get worse during urination
Blood stained urine, like fruit punch, and occasional clots, which may increase with physical activity

What can I do to feel better?

Take painkillers as prescribed and required
Bladder relaxing drugs, such as Detrol or Ditropan, may be helpful in some circumstances
Take a warm bath
Understand that the stent is necessary and is only temporary

What should I NOT expect?

Fever
Increasing back pain
Large amounts of blood in the urine
Leakage of urine (incontinence)

How does the stent get removed?

Stents are usually removed in a brief procedure in the urologist's office.

It is your responsibility to make sure your stent is removed: Stents that remain in too long can become encrusted. If this happens, you may require a surgical procedure to remove the stent and encrustations. Except in very select circumstances, stents should never be in the body for longer than three months.

What should I expect after my stent is removed?

Brief increase in back pain about an hour after stent removal as the kidney fills before it starts to drain
Bladder symptoms disappear within 24 to 48 hours
Blood in urine disappears within 2 to 4 days