Introduction
Kidney stones can cause severe pain, blood in the urine, urinary obstruction, infections, and, in some cases, impaired kidney function. When a stone blocks the urinary tract or requires a procedure for removal, doctors may place a ureteral stent to help urine drain from the kidney to the bladder.
A kidney stone removal surgery stent is not usually used to remove the stone itself. Instead, a ureteral stent is a thin, flexible tube placed inside the ureter to maintain urine flow. It may be used before, during, or after procedures such as ureteroscopy, RIRS, or PCNL, depending on the patient's condition.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, our super specialist nephrologist provides comprehensive kidney stone evaluation, kidney-function assessment, metabolic testing, recurrence prevention, and long-term kidney care. When a stone-removal procedure or stent placement is required, treatment can be coordinated with an experienced urologist.
What Is a Ureteral Stent?
A ureteral stent is a small, flexible tube placed inside the ureter.
The ureter connects the kidney to the bladder. When a kidney stone blocks or narrows this passage, urine may not drain normally.
A stent helps:
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Maintain urine flow
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Relieve pressure inside the kidney
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Bypass an obstruction
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Support healing after certain procedures
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Reduce the risk of urinary blockage after stone treatment
Most ureteral stents have curled ends that help keep them in position inside the kidney and bladder.
Why Is a Stent Used During Kidney Stone Surgery?
A stent may be recommended when:
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A stone blocks the ureter
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There is significant swelling of the kidney
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The ureter needs time to heal
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Stone fragments may temporarily obstruct urine flow
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The ureter has been manipulated during surgery
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There is a risk of postoperative obstruction
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An infection requires urgent drainage before definitive stone treatment
The decision depends on the stone, procedure, urinary tract anatomy, and patient's overall condition.
Kidney Stone Removal Procedures That May Involve a Stent
Ureteroscopy (URS)
Ureteroscopy involves passing a small scope through the urinary tract into the ureter.
The stone may be:
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Removed with specialized instruments
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Broken into smaller pieces
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Fragmented using laser energy
A temporary ureteral stent may be placed afterward to maintain urine drainage.
RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery)
RIRS uses a flexible ureteroscope to reach stones located inside the kidney.
Laser technology can be used to fragment the stone.
A ureteral stent may be placed after RIRS to:
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Support urine drainage
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Reduce the risk of ureteral blockage
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Allow the ureter to recover
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)
PCNL is commonly used for larger or complex kidney stones.
A small tract is created through the skin into the kidney so the stone can be fragmented and removed.
Depending on the procedure and clinical situation, a ureteral stent may be placed during or after treatment.
ESWL and Stents
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) uses external shock waves to break selected stones into smaller fragments.
A stent may sometimes be considered in selected cases, particularly when there is a concern about obstruction from stone fragments.
However, a stent is not automatically required for every ESWL procedure.
What Does a Kidney Stone Stent Feel Like?
Some patients have no significant symptoms, while others may experience temporary discomfort.
Common stent-related symptoms include:
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Frequent urination
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Urgency to urinate
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Burning during urination
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Mild blood in the urine
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Bladder discomfort
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Flank discomfort
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Pain during or after urination
Symptoms may become more noticeable during physical activity or immediately after urination.
How Long Does a Kidney Stone Stent Stay In?
The duration depends on:
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Type of procedure
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Stone size
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Degree of obstruction
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Ureteral condition
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Presence of infection
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Kidney function
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Doctor's treatment plan
Some stents are removed after a few days, while others may remain for several weeks.
Patients should never leave a temporary stent in place longer than instructed by their treating doctor.
How Is a Kidney Stone Stent Removed?
Stent removal depends on the type of stent used.
Stent With a String
Some temporary stents have a small string that allows removal according to the urologist's instructions.
Stent Without a String
Other stents are removed using a small cystoscopic procedure.
The removal method and timing are determined by the treating urologist.
Recovery After Kidney Stone Surgery and Stent Placement
Recovery varies depending on the procedure performed.
Patients may temporarily experience:
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Mild flank pain
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Burning while urinating
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Frequent urination
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Blood in the urine
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Bladder discomfort
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Fatigue
Your doctor may recommend medications and activity modifications during recovery.
Follow-up imaging may also be recommended to confirm stone clearance.
What Should You Do While a Stent Is in Place?
Follow your treating doctor's instructions carefully.
General measures may include:
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Drink fluids according to medical advice.
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Take prescribed medicines correctly.
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Avoid strenuous activity if it worsens symptoms.
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Attend the scheduled stent-removal appointment.
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Monitor for fever or worsening pain.
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Do not attempt to remove a stent unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
Patients with kidney disease or fluid restrictions should follow individualized fluid recommendations rather than increasing water intake on their own.
Warning Signs After Stent Placement
Contact your doctor promptly if you experience:
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Fever or chills
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Severe or worsening pain
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Difficulty passing urine
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Very low urine output
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Heavy blood in the urine
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Persistent vomiting
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Severe weakness
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Worsening urinary symptoms
Fever with urinary obstruction can indicate a serious infection and requires urgent medical attention.
Can a Kidney Stone Return After Surgery?
Yes. Stone-removal surgery treats the existing stone but does not necessarily eliminate the underlying cause of stone formation.
Patients with recurrent kidney stones may benefit from a metabolic evaluation.
This may include:
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Stone analysis
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Blood calcium testing
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Uric acid testing
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Urine pH assessment
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24-hour urine testing
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Evaluation of urinary calcium, oxalate, citrate, and uric acid
Understanding the cause can help reduce future stone formation.
How to Prevent Future Kidney Stones
Prevention may include:
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Drinking adequate fluids when medically appropriate
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Reducing excessive salt intake
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Maintaining appropriate dietary calcium
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Limiting excessive animal protein
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Treating urinary infections promptly
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Following a personalized stone-prevention diet
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Taking preventive medication when prescribed
The ideal prevention plan depends on the type of kidney stone and the patient's medical condition.
Kidney Function Assessment Before and After Stone Surgery
Kidney function is particularly important when a stone causes obstruction.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, our super specialist nephrologist may assess:
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Serum creatinine
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eGFR
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Electrolytes
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Urine abnormalities
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Blood pressure
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Degree of kidney impairment
Monitoring kidney function helps identify complications and supports long-term kidney health.
Nephrologist vs Urologist for Kidney Stones
Both specialists may play important roles in kidney stone care.
Urologist
A urologist performs procedures such as:
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Ureteroscopy
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RIRS
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PCNL
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Stent placement and removal
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Other surgical stone treatments
Nephrologist
A nephrologist focuses on:
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Kidney-function assessment
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Recurrent stone evaluation
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Metabolic abnormalities
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Chronic kidney disease
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High creatinine
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Electrolyte disorders
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Long-term kidney protection
A coordinated approach may be beneficial for patients with complex stones or kidney-function problems.
Why Choose Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic?
Patients choose Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic because we provide:
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Consultation with a super specialist nephrologist
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Comprehensive kidney stone evaluation
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Kidney-function assessment
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High creatinine and reduced eGFR evaluation
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Metabolic stone evaluation
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Recurrent kidney stone prevention
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Chronic kidney disease management
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Dialysis and kidney failure care
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Kidney transplant evaluation
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Coordination with experienced urologists for stone-removal procedures and stent management
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Personalized treatment and follow-up
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Compassionate, evidence-based kidney care
Our goal is to treat kidney stone-related problems effectively while protecting kidney function and reducing the risk of recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a stent necessary after kidney stone surgery?
Not always. The need for a stent depends on the procedure, stone characteristics, ureteral condition, obstruction, infection risk, and the treating urologist's assessment.
Does a kidney stone stent remove the stone?
No. A ureteral stent primarily keeps urine flowing between the kidney and bladder. The stone may require a separate treatment such as ureteroscopy, RIRS, PCNL, or ESWL.
Is pain normal with a kidney stent?
Some discomfort, urinary urgency, burning, or mild blood in the urine can occur. Severe or worsening pain should be assessed by a doctor.
How long can a kidney stone stent stay in?
It depends on the type of stent and the clinical situation. Your urologist will specify when it should be removed or replaced.
Can I work while a kidney stent is in place?
Many patients can return to normal activities, but this depends on the procedure, symptoms, and type of work. Strenuous activity may worsen discomfort in some patients.
Which doctor should I consult for kidney stone surgery and stent placement?
A urologist generally performs stone-removal procedures and stent placement, while a super specialist nephrologist can evaluate kidney function, recurrent stone risk, and long-term kidney health.
Conclusion
A kidney stone removal surgery stent is a temporary medical device that helps maintain urine drainage when the ureter is blocked or needs support after stone treatment. Stents may be used with procedures such as ureteroscopy, RIRS, and PCNL, while their use with ESWL depends on the individual situation.
Although some urinary discomfort is common with a stent, fever, severe pain, inability to urinate, heavy bleeding, or worsening symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, our super specialist nephrologist provides comprehensive kidney stone evaluation, kidney-function assessment, metabolic testing, recurrence prevention, and long-term kidney care. When surgical treatment or stent placement is needed, we can coordinate care with experienced urologists for individualized treatment and follow-up.
Book an Appointment Today
If you have kidney stones, severe flank pain, urinary obstruction, hydronephrosis, a ureteral stent, recurrent urinary infections, high creatinine, reduced eGFR, or repeated kidney stones, schedule a consultation at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic. Our super specialist nephrologist will evaluate your kidney health and help develop an appropriate treatment, prevention, and follow-up plan.
