What is a ureteral stent and what can I expect if I need one?
A ureteral stent helps keeps the passage from kidney to bladder open so urine can flow unobstructed out of the body. If there is an obstruction, and urine is allowed to build up, serious kidney complications could result. The stent itself is a thin, hollow tube with two coiled ends; one end sits in the kidney and one end sits in the bladder, and the tube itself lies throughout the length of the ureter. Ureteral stents are placed surgically, and are necessary if there’s a chance of obstruction from either a stone or a stone fragment, a narrowing (stricture) of the ureter due to scarring, or a swelling of the ureter following surgery. If you do need a stent, you can expect to be able to carry on your usual daily activities, including work and sports. Occasionally, there are side effects to having stents in place. These could include back pain, blood in the urine, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections. The length of time you will have your stent in will be determined by your p
