urinewegstenting

Urinewegstenting, commonly referred to as ureteral stenting or urinary tract stenting, is a urological procedure in which a small flexible tube, called a stent, is placed inside the urinary tract to permit urine flow from the kidney to the bladder when normal drainage is blocked. The stent creates a patent channel through an obstruction caused by stones, tumors, a ureteral stricture, postoperative swelling, or external compression. It may also be used after certain endoscopic procedures to aid healing or to protect kidney function.

Placement is usually performed under cystoscopic guidance with local or general anesthesia. A physician passes the stent through the urethra into the bladder and then into the ureter, with one end curling in the renal pelvis and the other in the bladder. The most common type is a double-J (JJ) stent; single-J stents and silicone or polyurethane variants are also used. The procedure is generally short and used as a temporary measure, though some patients with chronic obstruction may require longer-term stenting.

Stents are typically removed in a follow-up visit, or may be left in place for weeks to months, depending on the underlying condition. Complications can include urinary symptoms such as frequency or urgency, flank or pelvic pain, hematuria, infection, stent encrustation, or migration. Most issues are managed conservatively or by repositioning or removing the stent.

Urinewegstenting helps relieve obstruction, protect kidney function, and facilitate healing after procedures. Alternatives include nephrostomy tubes in cases where stenting is not feasible.