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What are the side effects of a ureteral stent?
Possible Side Effects of Stents
- Blood in the urine (Hematuria). This can be tea-colored, pink or bright red; you may even notice some clots.
- Pain. There can be flank, side or back pain due to the stent.
- Urinary urgency and frequency. You may notice you have to urinate very quickly and very often.
- Burning with urination.
Is a ureteral stent necessary?
Conclusion: Routine placement of a ureteral stent is not mandatory in patients without complications after ureteroscopic lithotripsy for impacted ureteral stones. Stent placement can be argued and agreed with the patients preoperatively in the light of the data presented above.
Is a stent in the ureter permanent?
The stent is run over the guide wire and placed in its permanent position within the ureter. Once the stent has been placed, the guide wire may be removed, or a nephrostomy catheter may be left in place for a day or two and then removed.
Why does my ureteral stent hurt so much?
These side effects are usually due to the stent being inside the bladder and causing irritation. They will disappear when the stent is removed. Stents can cause discomfort and pain in the bladder, kidneys, groin, urethra and the genitals.
Can a stent damage your ureter?
You should never attempt to remove a stent on your own, as more harm may be done than you might assume. This can include: Kidney, ureter, bladder damage or infection. Severe pain.
What happens if stent is not removed?
Forgotten ureteral stents can cause a spectrum of complications ranging from hematuria, stent occlusion, migration, fragmentation, encrustation, and stone formation to serious complications like recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary tract obstruction, and renal failure [5], [6].
What do you need to know about an ureteral stent?
What is a ureteral stent? Ureteral stents are small tubes inserted into the ureter to treat or prevent a blockage that prevents the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder. The most common reason for ureteral stents is the treatment of kidney stones.
Why do you need a stent for a kidney stone?
This helps decrease the pain associated with the blockage (i.e. kidney stone) and allows your kidney to function as normal as possible. In some cases, you may get a stent if you also have an infection associated with the kidney stone.
How is the removal of an ureteric stent done?
The stent is removed by cystoscopy, an outpatient procedure. Cystoscopy involves placement of a small flexible tube through the urethra (the hole where urine exits the body). The procedure, which usually takes only a few minutes and causes little discomfort, is performed in an outpatient clinic or ambulatory surgery center.
Do you need a stent for bladder cancer?
Not all people with bladder cancer need stents. Tumors grow in different places in the bladder. They are also different sizes and stages. It is possible the cancer may not be close to a ureter. If your doctor says you need a ureteral stent, it is likely for a good reason.