Ureteral Stent

This handout explains what a ureteral stent is. It will also tell what to expect after the stent is placed, and how to care for your child.

What is a ureteral A ureteral stent is a temporary, hollow plastic tube that drains pee (urine) stent? from the kidney to the bladder. It prevents the tube from the kidney to the bladder, called the ureter, from swelling shut while it heals.

Ureteral stent Kidney

Ureter

Bladder

Ureteral stent in place Ureteral stents are placed during a surgical procedure. The stent stays in the body for up to 6 weeks. After that, it is removed or replaced with a new stent during another surgical procedure.

Why is it needed? Reasons for a ureteral stent include: • Swelling: If your child had a stone removed through the ureter, which is causing the ureter to swell. The stent drains urine until the ureteral heals and the swelling goes away. • Stricture: If your child’s ureter has a narrow passage (stricture), a ureteral stent opens the narrow spot in the ureter. • Injury: If your child’s ureter was injured, the stent drains urine so the injured part can heal. • Surgery: If your child had surgery on their kidney, bladder or ureter. 1 of 3

To Learn More Free Interpreter Services • Urology • In the hospital, ask your nurse. 206-987-2509 • From outside the hospital, call the • Ask your child’s healthcare provider toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter • seattlechildrens.org the name or extension you need.

Ureteral Stent

Will my child have Ureteral stents can cause your child to have bladder spasms, which can pain? cause them to feel pain in their bladder. Bladder spasms happen when the stent touches the bladder wall. Your child also may feel pain in their back or side (flank), or burning when they pee while they have the stent. We partner with you and your child to prevent and relieve pain as completely as possible. You know your child best. No matter the level of your child’s pain, believe they are hurting and respond right away. In addition to medicine for bladder spasms and pain, you can also help your child cope by distracting them with music, games, TV or videos.

Medicine for bladder • Oxybutynin (Ditropan): helps treat bladder spasms pain • Tamsulosin (Flomax): prescribed to help with pain caused by the ureteral stent Use this medicine only if recommend by your healthcare provider. Check with your healthcare provider first before giving any type of medicine to your child.

What should I Your child may have blood in their pee. It is not unusual for it to come and expect after the go. Your child may have the urge to pee more often than usual. Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids while the stent is in place. stent is placed?

How do I care for • Give your child medicine as prescribed by their doctor. Antibiotics may the stent at home? have been prescribed to prevent infection. Oxybutynin may have been prescribed to treat bladder spasms. Flomax may have been prescribed to help with pain caused by the uretreral stent. • Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids. If they are drinking enough, the color of the pee will be pale yellow during daytime. • Have your potty-trained child go to the bathroom every 2 to 3 hours when they are awake. If your child is in diapers, they should have several wet diapers a day. • Watch your child closely for signs of constipation (when they can’t poop very well, or not at all). Your child should have a soft bowel movement (poop) every day. Ditropan and pain medicine can cause constipation, which can make your child feel more pain. For more information about ways to prevent and manage constipation, read our handout “Constipation after Surgery” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE432.pdf. • If your child’s stent has a string, be very careful not to pull it. The string is used to remove the stent. • It is OK for your child to be active and participate in normal day-to-day activities. This can cause a little more blood in your child’s urine.

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When should I call Call us if your child has any of these warning signs: the doctor? • Fever above 101.5 F • Heavy bleeding when going pee • Blood clots when going pee • Severe pain or burning when going pee • Not able to go pee • Severe back, side (flank), kidney or bladder pain not controlled by the medicine prescribed • Any reactions to the medicine, such as hives, rash, nausea or vomiting

How do I contact If you are calling Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you? please call the Urology Clinic nurses at 206-987-2509, option 4. If you are calling during evenings or on the weekend, please call Children’s Hospital Paging Operator at 206-987-2000, tell them the name of your surgeon and ask for the person on call.

Where can I learn • Seattle Children’s Hospital “Kidney Stones” more? seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE701.pdf • Seattle Children’s Hospital “Hydronephrosis” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1320.pdf • Seattle Children’s Hospital “Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) Obstruction” seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1751.pdf

Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the 2/21 Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s PE1949 needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

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Patient and Family Education | Urology 3 of 3