• 076665 97266
  • doctor@drjoshiurologist.com
  • Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Blogs
Stent Related Precautions
February 16, 2023

Stent Related Precautions

Ureteral stents are like small straws which sit within the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, the ureter. Most stents have a curl on either end which can be straightened during insertion, but prevent movement of the stent out of position. In reference to the curls on the end of the stent, they are sometimes referred to as pig-tail or JJ (double J) stents.

If stents are left in place for too long, stone may form on the stent making removal difficult. This is knowns as stent encrustation. ALL STENTS ARE TEMPORARY AND MUST EVENTUALLY BE REMOVED OR REPLACED.

What sort of symptoms can be expected with a stent?

 A stent is a piece of plastic. While they are quite soft, they can irritate the bladder. In addition, urine can ‘backwash’ up the stent into the kidney. As long as the stent is in place, the following symptoms can be expected and are normal:

· Urinary urgency and frequency – you may feel the need to go to the washroom often, even though very little urine comes out.

· Stanguria – this is pain at the end of urination caused by the bladder wall collapsing down on the end of the stent in the bladder.

· Flank pain – you may feel pain in your side, especially when you urinate. This is urine ‘backwashing’ up the stent and putting pressure in the kidney. This is not harmful to the kidney.

· Blood and occasional clot in the urine.

Things that can be done to reduce stent symptoms

 Stents tend to be fairly well tolerated by most patients. In fact, some patients have stents which are replaced indefinitely. There are no specific limitations as to what activities can be done with a stent in place. However, some patients will have stent-related symptoms, occasionally severe. Things which can be done to reduce these symptoms include: 

· Increase fluid intake if bleeding is noted. This will flush the blood out before clot can form.

· Use drugs as prescribed

When might it be necessary to call us?

Discuss with us  in the number provided overleaf  if you have troublesome side-effects. You should contact  us  if

constant and unbearable pain related to the stent

symptoms of a urine infection (fever, rigours, feeling unwell and pain passing urine

the stent falls out

if there is a significant increase in the amount of blood in the urine

How are stents removed? 

Stent removal is usually a simple, out-patient procedure. Cystoscopy is performed and the end of the stent in the bladder is secured and the stent then pulled out through the urethra. This usually takes 1-2 minutes. No special preparation is required. You do not need to fast (stop eating) beforehand.

admin

192 thoughts on “Stent Related Precautions”

Comments are closed.

Recent Posts

Categories

error: Content is protected !!
Scan the code