A ureteral stent is a thin, flexible tube placed inside the ureter, the passage connecting the kidney to the bladder.

During or after certain kidney stone procedures, a stent may be placed to help urine drain from the kidney to the bladder while the urinary tract recovers. It can also help facilitate passage of small stone fragments after treatment.

A stent is not the same thing as the stone-removal procedure itself. It is a temporary device that may be used as part of the overall treatment plan.

Whether a patient needs one depends on the stone, the procedure performed, the condition of the ureter and kidney, obstruction, infection risk and the treating specialist's assessment.

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides specialist kidney evaluation and can coordinate appropriate care for patients with kidney stones and associated kidney-function problems.

Which Kidney Stone Surgeries May Involve a Stent?

A ureteral stent may be used after procedures such as ureteroscopy, particularly when the ureter needs temporary support or drainage.

Kidney stone treatment itself may involve different procedures depending on stone size and location:

• Ureteroscopy with stone extraction

• Laser lithotripsy

• Flexible ureteroscopy or RIRS

• Shock wave lithotripsy in selected cases

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for larger or complex kidney stones

NIDDK notes that after stone-removal procedures, a urologist may sometimes leave a ureteral stent to help urine flow or allow stone fragments to pass.

What Happens During Kidney Stone Removal With a Stent?

The exact sequence depends on the procedure.

For ureteroscopy, a urologist passes a thin instrument through the natural urinary passage into the ureter or kidney. The stone can then be removed with instruments or broken into smaller fragments, including with laser energy.

If a stent is required, it can be positioned within the ureter with one end extending toward the kidney and the other toward the bladder.

The stent maintains a pathway for urine to drain while swelling or irritation of the ureter settles.

Why Might a Doctor Recommend a Stent After Stone Removal?

A stent may be considered for several reasons.

Temporary Ureteral Swelling

The ureter can become swollen or irritated after instrumentation.

A stent can help maintain urine drainage while the ureter recovers.

Stone Fragments

After laser treatment or another stone-fragmenting procedure, small pieces may remain.

A stent may help maintain drainage while fragments pass.

Risk of Temporary Obstruction

Swelling or residual fragments can sometimes interfere with urine flow.

A stent can provide a temporary drainage route.

Difficult or Complex Stone Treatment

Patients with larger stone burdens or more complex procedures may have a greater need for postoperative drainage.

The decision remains individualized.

Is a Stent Always Required After Kidney Stone Surgery?

No.

Not every patient undergoing kidney stone removal needs a stent.

In selected uncomplicated procedures, a specialist may decide that a stent is unnecessary.

In other situations, temporary stenting may provide additional protection or drainage.

The decision depends on factors such as:

• Stone location

• Stone size

• Number of stones

• Ureteral condition

• Procedure performed

• Residual fragments

• Urinary obstruction

• Infection risk

• Kidney function

• Intraoperative findings

Therefore, the presence or absence of a stent does not by itself indicate whether a stone procedure was successful.

What Does a Kidney Stone Stent Feel Like?

A ureteral stent can cause temporary urinary symptoms.

Some people experience:

• Frequent urination

• Urgency to urinate

• Burning during urination

• Bladder discomfort

• Flank or kidney-area discomfort

• Blood in the urine

• Discomfort that becomes more noticeable during or after urination

NIDDK notes that a temporary stent can cause kidney or bladder discomfort and urinary frequency or urgency.

The intensity of symptoms varies between patients.

Some people tolerate a stent relatively well, while others experience considerable discomfort.

Is Blood in Urine Normal With a Stent?

Small amounts of blood in the urine can occur after ureteroscopy or while a ureteral stent is in place.

However, heavy bleeding, worsening pain, fever or significant urinary difficulty should not simply be attributed to the stent.

A healthcare professional should assess concerning symptoms to determine whether infection, obstruction, bleeding or another complication is present.

Can a Stent Cause Pain After Kidney Stone Surgery?

Yes.

Stent-related discomfort can occur in the bladder, side, lower abdomen or kidney region.

Some patients notice increased discomfort during urination or physical activity.

Stent-associated symptoms are well recognized after ureteroscopy, and research has specifically examined pain and urinary symptoms associated with temporary ureteral stents.

Pain should gradually improve according to the individual recovery pattern. Severe or worsening pain requires medical assessment.

How Long Does a Kidney Stone Stent Stay In?

There is no single duration that applies to every patient.

A stent may remain for a relatively short period after uncomplicated stone treatment, while more complex cases may require a different duration.

The treating urologist determines when it should be removed or exchanged based on:

• Stone treatment

• Ureteral healing

• Residual stone fragments

• Infection

• Obstruction

• Kidney drainage

• Further planned procedures

Some temporary stents may remain for days to a week or longer depending on the circumstances.

Patients should know the planned removal date before leaving the hospital or clinic.

How Is a Kidney Stone Stent Removed?

A temporary ureteral stent can be removed using the method selected by the treating urologist.

Some stents have a retrieval string, while others may require cystoscopic removal.

With cystoscopy, a small instrument is introduced through the urethra into the bladder and used to grasp and remove the stent.

The removal process and anesthesia requirements depend on the specific stent and clinical circumstances.

What Happens If a Stent Is Left in Too Long?

A ureteral stent should not be forgotten.

Stents intended for temporary use need to be removed or exchanged according to the treating specialist's instructions. Longer-term stents may require periodic replacement.

Leaving a stent in place beyond the planned period can increase the risk of complications such as encrustation, blockage, infection or difficulty with later removal.

If you are unsure whether your stent has been removed, contact your treating urology team rather than waiting for symptoms.

Kidney Stone Surgery With Stent: Recovery at Home

Recovery depends on the type of stone procedure and the patient's overall health.

After surgery, the treating team may provide instructions regarding:

• Prescribed medicines

• Fluid intake

• Physical activity

• Pain management

• Warning signs

• Follow-up imaging

• Stent removal

Mild urinary discomfort or frequency can occur while the stent remains in place.

Patients should follow their specialist's individualized fluid advice rather than assuming that drinking excessive amounts of water will speed recovery.

Can You Work or Walk With a Kidney Stent?

Many people can perform normal light activities with a temporary stent, but the amount of activity tolerated varies.

Some patients notice increased bladder or flank discomfort with strenuous activity.

Your treating specialist may recommend limiting particular activities depending on the procedure, bleeding, pain and overall recovery.

Do not use physical activity to judge whether a stone has completely cleared.

What Are the Warning Signs After Kidney Stone Surgery?

Contact your healthcare team promptly if you develop concerning symptoms such as:

• Fever or chills

• Severe or increasing pain

• Persistent vomiting

• Very little or no urine

• Difficulty passing urine

• Heavy blood in urine

• Significant weakness

• Foul-smelling urine with other symptoms

• Rapid deterioration in health

A fever after a urinary procedure can indicate infection and should be medically assessed.

Particular urgency is required if infection is suspected together with urinary obstruction.

What If a Kidney Stone Blocks the Urinary Tract?

A stone that blocks urine flow can cause significant pain and may impair kidney drainage.

Larger or obstructing stones may require active treatment rather than waiting for spontaneous passage.

If obstruction occurs together with infection or inability to pass urine, urgent medical treatment may be necessary.

In selected emergencies, drainage may be established with a ureteral stent or a nephrostomy before definitive stone treatment.

Does a Stent Remove the Kidney Stone?

No.

A stent primarily maintains a pathway for urine drainage.

The actual stone may need to be:

• Removed with a basket

• Fragmented with laser energy

• Broken using shock waves

• Removed through PCNL

• Allowed to pass naturally when appropriate

The treatment selected depends on the stone's size, location and characteristics.

Kidney Stone Removal Surgery Without a Stent

In selected patients, stone removal may be completed without leaving a postoperative stent.

Whether this is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the procedure.

A patient should not request or refuse a stent solely because of concerns about discomfort. The decision should be made by the treating specialist after considering the risks and benefits.

Does a Stent Mean the Kidney Is Damaged?

Not necessarily.

A stent is commonly used as a temporary drainage device and does not automatically indicate permanent kidney damage.

It may be used because the ureter needs temporary support after stone removal or because the urinary tract needs to remain open while an obstruction or swelling resolves.

The actual effect of a stone on kidney function is assessed using clinical evaluation, urine tests, creatinine, eGFR and imaging when appropriate.

How Is Kidney Function Checked After Stone Treatment?

Depending on the situation, follow-up may include:

• Serum creatinine

• eGFR

• Urinalysis

• Urine culture when infection is suspected

• Ultrasound

• X-ray or other imaging for selected stones

• CT when detailed assessment is required

Follow-up imaging can help determine whether residual stones or obstruction remain.

Preventing Another Kidney Stone After Surgery

Removing a stone treats the existing problem, but it does not necessarily eliminate the reason the stone formed.

Depending on the type of stone, prevention may involve:

• Appropriate fluid intake

• Reducing excessive dietary sodium

• Maintaining an appropriate dietary pattern

• Avoiding unnecessary supplements

• Stone analysis

• Metabolic evaluation in selected patients

• Prescribed preventive medicines when indicated

NIDDK notes that stone analysis and, in selected patients, urine evaluation can help identify factors associated with future stone formation.

Kidney Stone Removal and Stent Evaluation at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides individualized kidney evaluation for patients with kidney stones, obstruction and associated kidney-function concerns.

Depending on the patient's condition, assessment may include:

• Review of ultrasound or CT findings

• Kidney-function assessment

• Creatinine and eGFR monitoring

• Evaluation of urinary obstruction

• Assessment of infection risk

• Review of stone history

• Post-procedure kidney care

• Monitoring of kidney function after stone removal

• Coordination with appropriate urological specialists when surgical stone removal or stent management is required

The appropriate treatment plan depends on the stone's size, location, obstruction, infection status, kidney function and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a stent necessary after kidney stone removal?

Not always. Some patients require a temporary stent after stone removal, while selected uncomplicated procedures may be completed without one.

Why is a stent put in after kidney stone surgery?

A stent can help maintain urine drainage while the ureter heals, particularly when swelling, residual fragments or temporary obstruction is a concern.

How long does a kidney stone stent stay in?

The duration varies according to the procedure and clinical situation. Your treating urologist should provide a specific removal or exchange plan.

Is pain normal with a kidney stone stent?

Some discomfort, urinary urgency, frequency or flank/bladder pain can occur with a stent. Severe or worsening pain should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Can I urinate normally with a kidney stent?

A stent is designed to allow urine to flow from the kidney to the bladder. Some people experience frequency, urgency or burning while it is in place.

Does a ureteral stent remove the kidney stone?

No. The stent supports drainage. The stone itself may require ureteroscopy, laser treatment, shock wave lithotripsy, PCNL or another appropriate treatment.

What happens if I forget to remove my stent?

Contact your treating specialist promptly. Temporary stents should be removed or exchanged according to the planned schedule, while longer-term stents require appropriate follow-up.

Can a kidney stone return after surgery?

Yes. Stone removal does not necessarily eliminate the metabolic or dietary factors responsible for stone formation. Stone analysis and preventive evaluation can help reduce recurrence risk.

Conclusion

Kidney stone removal surgery and stent placement are often discussed together, but they serve different purposes. Surgery or another stone procedure addresses the stone itself, while a ureteral stent may temporarily maintain urine drainage and support recovery of the urinary tract.

Not every patient needs a stent. When one is used, temporary urinary frequency, urgency, discomfort or mild blood in the urine can occur. The planned removal or exchange date is important because temporary stents should not be left indefinitely.

The appropriate kidney stone procedure depends on the stone's size, location, obstruction, infection status, kidney function and other individual factors.

If you have been advised to undergo kidney stone removal surgery or have questions about a ureteral stent, specialist evaluation can help clarify the procedure, expected recovery and follow-up plan.

For individualized kidney care and evaluation of kidney stone-related kidney problems, consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or individualized medical advice. Kidney stone treatment and the decision to place, retain, remove or exchange a ureteral stent depend on the stone's size, location, obstruction, infection status, procedure performed, kidney function and overall health. A stent can cause urinary symptoms and discomfort, but severe pain, fever or chills, heavy bleeding, very little or no urine, persistent vomiting or sudden worsening after stone treatment requires prompt medical assessment. Do not remove, manipulate or leave a ureteral stent in place beyond the planned schedule without guidance from the treating specialist. Consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke or an appropriately qualified urological specialist for individualized treatment.