What Is a Stent?
5. Ureteral Stent
A ureteral stent is a soft tube inserted into the ureter to maintain it open. The ureters are tubes made of muscle fibers that drain the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. This helps to treat or prevent obstruction of the urine flow from the kidney to the bladder. This is important as a blocked ureter can result in hydronephrosis (dilation of the kidneys due to the backflow of urine) and renal failure.
Ureteral stents can also be used as a temporary measure to prevent the kidneys from being damaged by a kidney stone until a procedure can be performed to remove the stone. It can also be used to hold the ureter open when it is compressed by a tumor in the surrounding area. Complications often include dislocation, blockage, and infection.
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