We previously went over how to place a ureteral stent. In today’s post, we go over the steps of removing a stent. Ureteral stents are removed using two basic methods:
1) By pulling on a stent string, if the string was left in place.
2) Placing a camera into the bladder (cystoscopy) to directly see and grab the stent with a small grasping device.
Removing a stent with a string left in place:
In some cases, your urologist will leave a string attached to one end of a ureteral stent. The stent string is a long piece of thread that will start from the stent and drape out the urethra, where it is visible at the urethral meatus (where urine comes out). A diagram and photos of a stent with a string attached are shown below.
To remove the stent, the visible string is firmly held and steady continuous pulling is applied until the entire stent comes out. The curls at the end of ureteral stent are flexible, so the stent should uncurl and come out easily.
What’s the advantage of leaving a string?
- The stent can be removed without performing cystoscopy.
- Patients can remove their own stent without waiting for an appointment or having to come to the office.
- Stents can’t be “forgotten” when a string is attached. When no string is left attached, a patient may forget or not realize that a stent was left in place. Over time, these forgotten stents can form large stones on them, making removal very difficult.
What’s the disadvantage of a string?
- The string can get snagged on clothing or be pulled on accidentally, resulting in a ureteral stent being removed earlier than it was supposed to. This seems to more commonly occur with female patients.
- The string can be a minor annoyance.
- Some patients prefer not to have to remove their stents themselves at home using the string. They however can usually come to the office where the staff can perform this for them.
Removing a stent by performing cystoscopy (with video below):
When no string or only a portion of the string is left attached, your urologist will need to use a camera to enter your bladder through your urethra. He or she can then see the stent and use an instrument to securely grasp it and remove it. The process is usually quick and occurs in the clinic. It takes only a minute or so in most cases.
Steps in removing a ureteral stent with cystoscopy
- Use a cystoscope to enter the bladder. (A cystoscope is a camera that can be placed into the bladder).
- Identify the stent.
- Use a grasper to securely grab the stent.
- Remove the cystoscope, grasper, and the secured stent as one unit.
The video at the bottom of the page demonstrates all these steps.
How uncomfortable is stent removal using a cystoscope?
For the majority of patients, stent removal is not as uncomfortable as they expected. We often have patients react in surprise when they learn that the stent has been already been removed and the procedure is done.
Unfortunately, some patients do experience discomfort with stent removal, more commonly in men because of their longer urethra. This can be due to discomfort from the cystoscope itself or from the sensation of the stent being removed. While most patients do not feel the stent actually sliding when removed from the kidney, some do experience an uncomfortable sensation with this.
Is there anything that can be done to make it more comfortable?
- Lidocaine jelly placed into the urethra at the beginning of the procedure will help to numb the area but will not completely take away sensation.
- In men, and also occasionally in women, increased discomfort is related to tightening of the urethral sphincter as the scope is passed into the bladder. Trying to relax, take a deep breath, and not “clench” down during the cystoscopy process can sometimes make the process less uncomfortable.
- Anticipation and perception also seem to play a role: Researchers have found that patients who watch their own cystoscopy procedure on a video screen experienced less discomfort than those that did not.
Video of ureteral stent removal in a male patient.
Pain after stent removal:
In most patients, stent removal is a relief as their stent discomfort goes away. However, in some patients, severe pain may occur for several hours. This is thought to be due to spasms of the ureter or swelling and temporary blockage developing after the stent comes out.
Not enough is known about this phenomenon but one recent study suggests it may occur in as many as half of patients. In the study, patients given a single dose of rofecoxib did not experience this pain while those given placebo developed it in 55% of cases. Rofecoxib went by the brand name Vioxx and is no longer available in the U.S. as it was withdrawn by the manufacturer. The authors of the study report they now use naproxen as an alternative. You can read more about the study in our post “Severe pain after stent removal: How often does it occur and can anything prevent it?”
If you are thinking about trying naproxen, be sure to read the manufacturer’s warnings as some patients should not take the medication and check with your doctor first to make sure it’s okay in your situation.
i had a puj obstruction. ..after pyleoplasty. .stent was placed .it has been around 2 mnthns…yesterday i went for stent removal…none of dem in office were able to remove it…dey said its naroow..m in pain..cruing d hell out of me..now a catheter is placed..ill be operated dey said…nw wat?
Maybe it is because you haven’t learned proper English.
Just got back from the hospital after this procedure (cystoscopy). I was extremely nervous, I took my pain medication just over an hour before (Cocodomol). They told me “the worst part will be when we pass your prostate”, when the surgeon did get to this stage I honestly thought “oh wow, if that’s the worst part then this is not going to be bad!”. Hardly hurt at all, just weird sensations that are very short lived! When they applied the local anaesthetic, it probably hurt as much as any other part of the procedure, and it was more of a tingle than pain.
I opted for closing my eyes, pretending nothing was happening and imagining the track Space Oddity in my head.
Folks, I think that submerging self in warm water-filled bath tube. is very risky. You do not want the bath water to enter the badder; it could also enter the kidney self. Sepsis in the making.
I had a stent put in a week ago. The first night home I wet my bed. I got adult diapers for the evenings. I feel like a have to pee all the time, so when I’m asleep, I can’t feel it I actually have to go. I hate this feeling. I am not in pain per se but this is ridiculous. I’m having the stent out in 2 days. I’m looking forward to having it removed but a bit nervous of more pain and blood.
omg you have MY symptoms! this constant urge to pee is terrible! i’m getting mine out tomorrow. thank God!
I have had my stent for almost 2 months. The uncomfortable part of it is just like you said, no pain, but the ‘burning’ and feeling of not totally emptying my bladder was agony at times. I, in fact, get my stent out in 8 hrs from now. I’ve heard the pain afterwards can be really bad, so I’m afraid of that!! Hopefully yours came out without any pain!
Is it pain full?
The feeling of constantly needing to pee, for me, only lasted about 30 minutes after I awoke from the procedure. I haven’t had the feeling again, although it was only put in yesterday. I have no unusual sensations at all so far, except a slight burning feeling at the end of my penis when I pee. Also peeing a lot more than I usually do, but I attribute this to my right kidney, which has been unable to drain for an unknown period of time, draining now. Urine is slightly darker than normal, which would be because my healthy left kidney is diluting the darker urine from my right kidney.
I have to keep this stent in place for three weeks. I have to have another ureteroscopy three weeks from now anyhow, as my doc was unable to get the stone fully out. It’s very large, what he calls an “EPIC STONE”. LOL. He says it may take a third one, if he can’t get it out next time. I’m assuming he’ll have to remove the stent before he can do the procedure again. I’ll be unconscious for the procedure, so will not have to deal with the sensations of it being removed. 😉
I had stent removal following the surgical removal of my cancerous prostate. The stents were incerted as a device to keep the kidney drainage healthy to my bladder. They were in for fully three months and had nothing to do with the emergence of kidney stones. All I can say is that their removal was easy. I totally relaxed and watched the whole action on the computer screen. OK so these experiences may not be pleasant but I am sure we can make them tollerable such that they pass speedily and successfully.
I had a Ureteral stent placed in for 30 days, finally removed without any complications, but now I hear that there is no change in my kidney functions. Should I assumed that the ureteral stent was unable to improve kidney functions
Will the pain, blood urinating and free flow of urine stop when the stent is remove ?
I had surgery to remove a kidney stone 3 weeks ago and had the stent removed this morning. No strings, the doctor used a scope to grab it and remove it. It was pretty much as advertised in this article – only took a minute or two and the anticipation was far worse than the reality.
During the time I had the stent in place it never seriously bothered me – a few aches and pains and a lot of pink urine. The worst part by far was the urgency and frequency of urination. That got old real quickly. I never before appreciated my grandfather’s wisdom “never pass up a bathroom”.
I am having my stent removed on the 22nd of august, I have to go to the doctors office and he is gonna do a cystoscope to remove it,does anyone know how they numb you up before they do it? I also don’t understand why did they have to put me to sleep to put the stent in but can take it out in the office
wow, I was just thinking this tonight! I was “out” during the placement, but tomorrow only a numbing agent is used to take it out. I’m assuming maybe because a guide wire is used to put it in, and takes longer? I wish I found this website weeks ago! Odd how so many people have the same thoughts/questions/concerns as i do!
I went to ER in pain on July14,2016 in unbearable pain thought was was constipated. turns out I had an 8mm kidney stone stuck in my ureter and a 4mm in my left kidney. Was admitted to hospital and next day had a temp. and white count elevated. An emergency stent was put in and discharged on the July 17, 2016. I wanted lipotripsy and was told I had to wait two weeks before the machine would be at my urologist’s office. Suffering for two weeks with the stent and had stones blasted on August1, 2016. Now I have to wait another two weeks to get stent out on the 15th which is exactly a month since it was put in me. Now I am in a panic wondering about the stent removal procedure. I don’t think I have a string so I guess they need to do the scope procedure and with numbing cream? I want the pain from the stent to be gone but afraid I am exchanging one pain for another. Can anyone tell me a better way?
I had surgery and a stent put in on Friday. Today, Monday I just took it out. Easy peas. After I peed, still sitting on toilet, I pulled it out. It kinda tickled. It’s really long, on a woman.
As soon as I pulled it out, I had to poop. First time in 3 days. I’m hurting pretty bad right now. Taking a norco n going to try to sleep
I had a ureteroscopy on 8/3. I was under general anesthesia. When I woke up I was in a good amount of discomfort near my urethra where the string was hanging out for the stint. I had a 3mm stone so they placed a stint in my right ureter. I was to have it in for a week but they ended up just pulling it out this morning. Over the last 5 days I can say that the first 24hrs are by far the worst. Once you get through that, you can manage the other days. You’ll definitely want to have a few days off. I thought id be back to work the next day and ended up on the couch for 3 days. Outside of the discomfort and minor pain from moving and the stent, the most painful part was at the end of urinating. Each time I was close to being finished I have that kidney stone pain feeling start up in my right flank. However, as soon as I stopped going, it also stopped. I was told that is caused because urine is also able to go back up to the kidney and normally it doesn’t which causes that pain. Not a big deal but be aware of that. Naproxen, pyridiam, miralax and ms contin were all things I took over the last week. Fortunately I have ms contin for other pain issues. Naproxen helped with swelling I believe and pyridiam possibly helped with the painful spasms. Ive also heard Flomax helps for the spasms. Its 1 hour after my stent removal. So far no pain. I took naproxen, ms contin and pyridiam about an hour before the removal. I’m hoping that those combinations keep the painful spasms away. I will log back on after I see how the day goes. I currently have a heat pad next to my side as a preventative measure. My biggest fear is drinking water because I’m worried about peeing but I know I will need to as hydrating is probably the best thing I can do to expedite the healing. Here we go…
I had stones out on Friday. Today is Monday. I’ve been in constant pain, always peeing, peeing blood n sometimes I don’t even make it to the toilet in time. I get to pull out my stent today, soon. I’m taking a norco trying a hot bath then I will remove it.
I didnt do it this way.
That was on june19,2016 I still have the stent in.
Have you gotten your stent out yet? I get mine out on August 15,2016 and I am scared to death. I will have my stent a full month pain is bad but now afraid of the removal.
So have your stone come out yet. and will I stop bleeding
I went to the hospital I was having severe pain, in left side and back left side . They tell me I have kidney stones , simple procedure nothing to worry about. Well during surgery,i was puking blood,y heart stopped,i was on life support, I had a bleeding ulcer . How messed up is that
I had my ureterel stent a week ago. I am experiencing severe pain everyday. Is that normal and how csn it be solved.
Is having the stent worse than a catheter?
For me it was. I could hardly tell I had a catheter. The stent was in for 6 weeks or more and my kidney hurt. I felt a lot better when I was removed.
I had a stent put in on July 9th and don’t get it removed until July 27th. I don’t have a severe pain that people have said they have had. Mine is more annoying. I do have a very high pain tolerance. Pretty sure that is from growing up with 2 older brothers and me being the baby sister in the family. I just hate having the feeling like I need to pee all the time and not able to get all of it out. My urologist didn’t leave a string attached to my stent. I am nervous about the removal process. Has anyone else got theirs removed in the office? How was the process done for you?
I’m Marilyn
I have had my stent in a week ago today . My appointment is today and I also have a high pain tolerance. I feel like you its annoying,and this frequent urination has to go. My bladder gets empty sometimes I just sit on the toilet and continue to pee.But when it was first done ,”Oh my God” I would try to pee and as i’m finishing the pain would go up my back to the kidney.This continue for about 4.5 days ,and now sometimes it still does,but not as bad. so I will return to let you know how it feels if they remove them or not.
just got mine removed this morningl
pretty uncomfortable-painful feels like you have to pee real bad but its quick done in like 30 seconds
I am having my stent out on Wednesday , today is Monday. I Dont really know what to do to ready myself, I just pray that after the removal of the stent that I can pee without the burning and pain.
Why domwe need stents? I have no stones, the Dr. Is removing the stent next Wed..She wants to replace it , I do not understand why I have to, have another one incerted.
does anyone have this problem?
I have recently had a kidney stone and had passed it myself without the surgery needed to remove it, but also had a severe blockage and had a single J-Stent inserted in July 2016, and then on August 12th had to go back to surgery and they had to insert a double J-Stent, and a Catheter because I was unable to urinate by myself after surgery. The put the Catheter in me after I woke up from surgery and I am a male and it did not feel so well, more pain than anyone can imagine, here it is August 15th and had both the double J-stent and Catheter removed at the Urologist office, and that was uncomfortable, and stung. For a few hours a was sore, but could urinate on my own again with some slight burning.
I am a regular “stoner”, and I have had stent removals by the Doctor and for the first time today, by myself. The hot tub for 15 minutes with some relaxing tunes is the absolute way to go. The “anestehsia” at the Dr’s office is a topical and is a joke. The hot tub gets you relaxed to the point where you can just perform a slow steady pull and voila, it’s out.
I have had a stent left in since may 9 weeks I’m in agony..i have a small cushion which I have had between my legs none stop. The pain is unbearable.stomach feels full all the time.hats off to people who still go to work, incoulnt leave my bed. My daughters looked after me all the time.putting up with me crying all time.I’ve had a letter that there going to remove the stent this Tuesday.I want it out but scared to death.
I feel your pain Susan, a hot water bottle on the side where the stent is works wonders, I’ve managed to get hold of some co-codamol through a friend too, both are a godsend.
I recently had a stent put in and it was uncomfortable for the five days. I asked my doctor how was the sent going to be removed. He said I Could pull it out myself or come into the office and he would. I spoke with a friend who has had stents put in four or five times. He told me to get into a hot tube of water for about 15 to 20 minutes to let my body relax. He said then have my wife pull it out and it will not hurt.
So I cancelled my doctors appointment and got into a hot tube of water and relaxed. Then I had my wife come in and she pulled the sting at steady pace without stopping until the tube came out. I had absolutely “NO PAIN”. The tube of hot water is the way to go.
I have a sent as of now it is time for me to take it out can i set in the tub or it has to done in the shower
25 year old female here and on my 3rd stone. I passed the first two, but this one got surgical intervention to break it up. Stent is in place on the right side. Thank God I was given antibiotics and percocet. Not sure what I would do without these pain meds.
Keeping a heating pad behind my back and between my legs really helps dull the pain too. Trying to take it easy and not accidentally pull the string.
Not sure if I’ll be able to make it into work on Monday. Removal is on Wednesday, but the discomfort and pain is enough to make concentration almost impossible. Pretty sure I’m running a low grade fever, but they said not to be concerned until it’s 104.
Drinking plenty of water to try and keep hydrated and flush out the kidney. Feel like I gotta pee 24/7, but pushing on the bladder let’s me know if I actually do (same thing happens when I get a stone). No matter how much water I drink, I still have blood in my urine, but I’m hoping that clears up in a day or two? Peeing was almost unbearably painful, but the pain seems to be letting up soon. I try to keep my pee breaks lined up for soon after I take a pain pills. Sucks that Peeing takes forever, cause it takes a while to empty the bladder.
Here’s hoping the stent removal goes well. Not sure what to expect, but I hope they give me something good before starting haha
Omg! I have stones and had a stent placed today! I’m in so much pain! Urinating is very painful and feels like razor blades!