In this article, we will tell you in which cases the stent is placed in the ureter, during what time it is located inside the body, and how to properly remove it.
How and when is the stent inserted into the ureter?
Most often the need for stenting of the ureter occurs in the following cases:
- stiffening of kidney stones in places of anatomical narrowing of the ureter;
- clogging the tube with blood clots;
- development of a malignant or benign tumor in the ureter;
- excessive edema of the internal mucosa of the ureter;
- some infectious and inflammatory processes.
In all these cases, as well as in the presence of other indications, a special stent is introduced into the patient's body, which is a small cylinder made of metal mesh. Before installation, this device is put on a balloon, which is inserted into the urinary tract with a special conductor.
When all this equipment reaches the right place, in which pathological narrowing of the ureter is observed, the balloon swells, the walls of the stent are straightened and thus expand the formed lumen. After that, the balloon is removed, and the stent remains in the body and performs the function of the carcass, which does not allow the ureter to return to its original dimensions. The operation is always performed in a hospital inpatient facility through a cystoscope inserted into the bladder.
The ureteral stent is located in the patient's body until the degree of obstruction is reduced. This is affected by many different factors, so it is impossible to predict what time it will be necessary to remove the stent from the ureter.
As a rule, this device is located inside this body from several weeks to a year. Meanwhile, in rare cases, life-long stenting may be required, in which an audit is carried out every 2-3 months. However, even in this situation, no restrictions are imposed on the patient's life after the stent has been inserted into the ureter.
What complications can the stent in the ureter provoke?
This procedure causes complications quite rarely. Nevertheless, they have a place to be, and every patient who needs ureteral stenting needs to have full information about possible complications. So, in rare cases after the operation can develop the following ailments:
- hematuria and dysuria;
- urosepsis and pyelonephritis;
- vesicoureteral reflux;
- hydronephrosis.
In addition, after installing this device, it can become stuck or migrate into the ureter cavity. In such a situation, an additional emergency operation may be required with a high probability.
Is it painful to remove a stent from the ureter?
The stent from the ureter is removed in exactly the same way as it is set up - using an operating cystoscope. Immediately at the time of surgery, in rare cases, abdominal pain may occur, as well as burning and discomfort in the suprapubic region, but these sensations quickly pass.