Ureteral Stents

A ureteral stent is a small, soft, tube about 10 - 12 inches long and about as big around as a coffee stir stick. It is placed in the ureter, which is the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder. The purpose of the stent is to hold the ureter open and maintain proper drainage of urine until the surgical connection between the transplanted ureter and the bladder heals.

The ureteral stent will stay in place for 6-8 weeks. You will be admitted to the hospital for the stent removal, but will be discharged the same day. The stent is removed with a cystoscope which is similar to having a bladder catheter, and takes just a few minutes. The procedure will be explained to you at a clinic visit called a  pre-op visit. Your stent removal procedure will be scheduled after your pre-op visit. The appointment for your pre-op visit will be provided to you at the time of your transplant discharge.