What is the purpose of ureteral stenting?
Ureteral stenting may be placed on a long-term basis (months to years) in order to bypass ureteral obstruction. Short-term stenting (weeks to months) may be used as an adjunct to open surgical procedures of the urinary tract to provide a mold around which healing can occur, or to divert the urinary flow away from areas of leakage. Following balloon dilation or incision of ureteral strictures, placement of stents maintains the functionality of the ureters. Stents may also be used in the presence of kidney stones to manipulate or prevent stone migration prior to treatment, or to make the ureters more easily identifiable during difficult surgical procedures. Ureteral stents may be used in those with active kidney infection or with markedly diseased, intolerant bladders (e.g., damage from radiation therapy, bladder invasion by adjacent neoplasm). Source: The Gale Group.
