Patient education: Ureteroscopy – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is ureteroscopy? — Ureteroscopy is a procedure that lets the doctor see inside the ureters. Ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (figure 1). The kidneys make urine. Then, the urine passes through the ureters and into the bladder.

During a ureteroscopy, a doctor puts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end into the urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body). They move the tube up through the bladder and into the ureters. This tube is called a "ureteroscope."

Ureteroscopy might be done to check your ureters, remove or break up kidney stones, place a ureteral stent, or take a tissue sample (called a "biopsy").

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Drink plenty of water – This will help to flush out your urinary tract.

●Know what to expect when you urinate – You might see blood in your urine for a few days after your procedure. This is normal. If you had a stent placed, you might also feel pain in your back, side, or bladder, or a burning feeling when you urinate. A stent might also make you need to urinate more often or in a hurry.

●Take a warm bath to help with pain. Do this as needed.

●Eat when you are hungry – If you have an upset stomach, it might help to start with clear liquids and foods that are easy to digest. Examples include soup, pudding, toast, or eggs. You can eat other types of foods when you feel ready. If your doctor or nurse gave you specific instructions about what to eat or avoid, follow them.

If your ureteroscopy was done to place a stent or to help you pass a kidney stone, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to expect after your procedure.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after the procedure to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

●If you had a stent placed, you will need to have another procedure to remove it.

●If you had a biopsy as part of your ureteroscopy, ask your doctor or nurse when you can expect your results.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have signs of an infection. These included a fever or 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or pain when you urinate.

●You are in a lot of pain, even when taking pain medicines.

●You have a lot of bleeding from your urethra, or the bleeding lasts longer than 5 days.

●You have blood clots in your urine that are the size of a dime or bigger (3/4 inch, or 1.7 cm).

●You are not urinating, or urinating only a little.

●Your urine has a very bad smell.

●Your stent comes out, if you had one.

More on this topic

Patient education: Ureteroscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Ureteral stent placement (The Basics)
Patient education: Ureteral stent removal (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (The Basics)
Patient education: 24-hour urine collection (The Basics)

Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Collection of a 24-hour urine specimen (Beyond the Basics)