Patient education: Ureteral stent removal (The Basics)

What is a ureteral stent? — A ureteral stent is a small tube that helps make the ureter wider. For some stents, the ends of the tube are shaped like coils. The coils help hold the tube in place. One end rests in the bladder, and the other end rests in the kidney.

You might need to have a stent in place for a few days or a few weeks. If you need the stent for longer, it might need to be replaced.

What happens during ureteral stent removal? — Sometimes, the doctor will remove the stent in the office or in a procedure room. Other times, you can safely remove the stent at home. The doctor or nurse will tell you if you can remove the stent yourself.

If the stent has a string attached (figure 1):

●You or the doctor will gently pull on the string with a firm, steady motion until the string and stent are out of your urethra.

●This might feel uncomfortable, but it should not be painful.

●Remember that the stent is about 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm) long.

If the stent does not have a string on the outside of your body, or if there are problems removing the stent:

●The doctor will put numbing medicines inside your urethra.

●The doctor will put a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end into your urethra. This is called a "cystoscope" (figure 2).

●The doctor will insert a small tool through the cystoscope and grasp the stent. They will use the tool to gently pull the stent out through your urethra.

●After the stent is removed, the doctor will remove the cystoscope.

●The procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes.

What happens after ureteral stent removal? — It is normal to feel sore and see a small amount of blood in your urine for 1 to 2 days after stent removal. It is also normal to feel slight burning when you urinate. You might urinate more than normal for 1 to 2 days.

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 non-prescription pain medicine to help with pain, if needed. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), or naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn).

●Take a warm bath or use a warm wet washcloth over the opening to your urethra. This will help with pain. Do this as needed.

●Drink extra fluids for the next few days, unless your doctor told you otherwise. This will help reduce irritation.

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

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

●You need to urinate more often than normal, or have to urinate suddenly or in a hurry.

●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).

●Your urine is cloudy.

●You have little or no urine, or are not able to urinate.

●You have severe pain that is not helped by pain medicines.

More on this topic

Patient education: Ureteral stent placement (The Basics)
Patient education: Ureteroscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Cystoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (The Basics)

Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (Beyond the Basics)