If you have a kidney stone, treatment options vary. If you and your doctor choose surgery as treatment for your stone, a ureteral stent may be used. For more information about kidney stones and ureteral stents, go to UrologyHealth.org. The Urology Care Foundation is the official foundation of the American Urological Association. This video is designed for adult patient education and was developed in collaboration with Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative. MUSIC is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. #Stents #UrologyCareFoundation #MUSIC

A ureteral stent is a plastic, flexible, hollow tube that helps the kidney drain urine after kidney stone surgery. When is a stent needed? A stent is placed if your doctor thinks the urine might not drain well after kidney stone surgery. Stents are often placed to stop pieces of stone or blood from blocking urine leaving the kidney and to prevent spasms in the ureter. Stents can be left with or without a string attached, which is used for stent removal.

It is very common for stents to cause symptoms after surgery. You may notice:
• an urgent need to pass urine
• the need to pass urine more often
• burning or pain in your lower back when passing urine
• blood in the urine
• feeling as if you are not able to empty your bladder all the way
• discomfort or pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and/or lower back

There are a number of things you can do to help handle your stent symptoms. Providers suggest drinking plenty of fluids, taking a warm bath, using a heating pad and taking over-the-counter pain medication to help with pain or discomfort. Some doctors may prescribe medications to help you with stent discomfort.

In terms of physical activity, you may restart your normal physical routine the day after your surgery. But, if you see increased blood in your urine when being more active, you should get off your feet, rest, and drink plenty of fluids.

Having a stent should not change work, social life or travel. Your daily routine may change by simply having the need to use the bathroom more often. Having a stent should not change your sex life. However, if you have a stent with a string coming outside your body through the urethra, sex may be difficult. It is normal for patients to have some symptoms, but they typically go away after the stent is removed.

Your stent is typically removed within the first two weeks after surgery. If the stent was left with a string emerging from your urethra, you can remove it at home at the time recommended by your urologist. If the stent was left without a string, it will be removed in the urologist’s office by passing a camera through the urethra.

If removing a stent at home, wash your hands with soap and water and make sure you are relaxed. Taking a warm shower or bath while removing the stent, can help with this. After your hands are washed, lift the tape or stickers that may be holding the string to your body. Take hold of the string. Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, pull the stent until it is all the way out with a firm, steady motion. The stent will be about 10-12 inches long with a curl on each end. Pulling the stent out may feel odd and perhaps uncomfortable. It should not be very painful.

Once the stent is removed, you may experience some pain in your back or bladder. It may also be painful the next few times you pass urine and you may notice blood. This is quite normal and it should pass. Make sure you drink enough fluid to keep your urine a clear yellow color.

When removing a stent from home, you should contact your doctor if:
• you feel you are unable to remove the stent by yourself
• there was a problem removing the entire stent
• any concerning problems occur afterwards, like fever (higher than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit), chills or if you can’t pass urine

What should I expect after the stent is removed? While most patients do not experience any symptoms after the stent is removed, some patients experience cramping due to bladder or ureteral spasms which may lead to feelings of nausea or urinary urgency. These feelings are not unusual and typically go away after the first 24 hours. Continue to drink a lot of liquids and keep taking your pain medication as directed. Some doctors may prescribe medications to help alleviate these symptoms.

Remember, symptoms such as pain, discomfort, urinary frequency or urgency, burning or pain when you pass urine, blood in urine, sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder are all common and do not require medical help. They should pass with time.

If you are feeling concerned about your symptoms, contact your doctor’s office before going to ER. Call your doctor if you have:
• Chills and a fever higher than 101.5˚F
• Nausea, vomiting and unable to drink or keep down liquids
• Severe pain that is not relieved by pain medication
• Difficulty or inability to pass urine
• Constant urine leaks
• Noticed the stent fell out

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