Stents for Kidney Stones

A stent (a flexible hollow tube) is sometimes used as part of a person's treatment for kidney stones. Stents may be placed when there is swelling after a large kidney stone has been removed, when a stone cannot be removed, or if there is an obstruction in the ureter -- the tube that carries urine from your kidneys to the bladder. Any discomfort a stent for kidney stones causes usually goes away in a few days.

Treatment for Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones and Stents: An Introduction

If you have kidney stones, your doctor may recommend surgery as a possible treatment. This, however, will depend on several factors.

If your doctor does recommend surgery, the options may include:

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (tunnel surgery)
Ureteroscopy
Major surgery.

The doctor may choose to insert a stent (hollow tube) before, during, or after any of these procedures except major surgery.

What Are Stents for Kidney Stones?

A stent is a flexible hollow tube that keeps the ureter open. (Your ureters are narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.) One end of the stent curls up into the kidney, while the other end curls into the bladder. The stent has several holes in it that allow urine to drain from the kidney into your bladder.

A stent may be used as part of your kidney stones treatment for a few different reasons.

When Are Stents Used?

Stents are used in combination with surgery for kidney stones when:

A large stone is removed and there is significant swelling
A stone cannot be removed because of its size or location
There is an obstruction in the ureter.

(Stents for Kidney Stones Continued: Page 2)