Relieving Urinary Blockages and Improving Kidney Flow
Double J Ureteral Stents are used to relieve obstruction caused by stones or tumors, aid healing of the ureter after surgery, and prevent severe kidney swelling.
A Double J ureteral stent is a thin, flexible tube that is placed in the ureter, the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. The stent has a coil at each end: one in the kidney and one in the bladder. The design keeps the stent in place while allowing urine to flow past any obstruction.
People’s experiences after a stent is placed can vary widely. Some people feel better – it is undeniably better than passing a stone. Some feel great and have no problems at all. Most people fall in the middle, experiencing a moderate level of frequency or urgency.
Double J stents are placed most often in emergency settings in a patient who is passing a kidney stone and has:
These stents are often used when definitive procedures such as ureteroscopy (URS), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) cannot be performed immediately.
In the emergency setting, it is typical that these procedures cannot be performed immediately. They take more time and are usually elective, while a stent can be placed quickly, often in about five minutes, to relieve pain and preserve kidney function.
Candidates are generally patients with stones causing obstruction, infection, or intractable pain. It can also include patients with narrow ureters who have trouble passing stones.
While many patients feel better after stent placement, it’s important to remember that if a stent is left in place for too long, stones can form around it at both the kidney and bladder ends. These stones can become quite large, complicating later procedures.
The body recognizes the stent as a foreign object. If a patient forgets they have a stent or it is left in place too long, the body may start to form stones around it. Stones can form on the top coil in the kidney and the bottom coil in the bladder. Stones can become large, 3 to 5cm bladder stones with additional kidney stones, and the resulting surgery can be more complex.
The typical approach to managing stones around a stent is:
This stepwise approach helps manage stones while minimizing complications. It is important for patients to attend all follow-up appointments to avoid major complications.
It is important to remember that the stent is temporary and should be removed or replaced according to the urologist’s instructions to prevent stone formation or infection. Patients should report severe pain, fever, or difficulty urinating, which could indicate complications.
For over five decades, Georgia Urology has set the standard in urologic care, earning a reputation for excellence. Many of our doctors are recognized as “Top Docs” by their peers and have been designated as “Centers of Excellence” for their clinical capabilities. With advanced care and a commitment to life-enhancing outcomes, Georgia Urology empowers our patients to overcome health challenges and thrive in every stage of life.